Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction

Requires TWO parents Offspring are NOT genetically identical to the parents Requires the formation of specialized cells which only function in the process of reproduction Normal number of chromosomes in a human body = 46 These 46 chromosomes form 23 pairs

Homologous Chromosomes Similar in appearance and are made up of same kind of genes Form a pair

Diploid: Having PAIRS of homologous chromosomes (2n) *All normal body cells are diploid!! Haploid: Having only 1 chromosome of each type (n) *Sex cells are haploid!!

I will sketch out the formation of these cells on the side board with you 

Meiosis Process cells go through to produce four games (eggs or sperm) Reduces the number of chromosomes by half Consists of 2 parts: Meiosis I and Meiosis II After Meiosis I, 2 new cells have been produced After Meiosis II, a total of 4 cells have been produced