MEIOSIS
Vocabulary 1. Meiosis – formation of gametes 2. Gametes – reproductive cells female – egg male – sperm (animals) - pollen (plants) 3. Diploid – full set of chromosomes - body cells are diploid (2n) - human diploid number is 46 4. Haploid – half the normal chromosome number - gametes are haploid - human haploid number is 23 (n)
5. Fertilization – egg and sperm unite 6 5. Fertilization – egg and sperm unite 6. Zygote – fertilized egg, first diploid cell of new individual 7. Sex chromosome – X or Y male XY female XX 8. Autosome – any chromosome other than the sex chromosomes, humans have 44 autosomes 9. Homologous chromosomes – chromosomes which carry genes for the same traits - one came from mom, the other from dad
10. Synapsis – pairing of homologous chromosomes - occurs during Prophase1 of meiosis - forms a tetrad 11. Tetrad – pair of homologous chromosomes
12. Karyotype – picture of the chromosomes 12. Karyotype – picture of the chromosomes arranged by homologous pairs
To remember the difference between mitosis and meiosis: Mitosis in my toes Meiosis in my ovaries