Meiosis  Meiosis: a process of cell division in which the number of chromosomes per cell is cut in half through the separation of homologous chromosomes in a diploid cell.  Don’t panic! We’re going to break down this definition piece by piece.  First, let’s define the vocabulary words…

Meiosis important Vocab…  Chromosomes: structures in the nucleus of a cell that contain the genetic information that is passed from one generation to the next.  Homologous: basically means the same (ie. Homologous chromosomes are the same)  Diploid: term used to refer to a cell that contains both sets of homologous chromosomes. (2N=diploid)

Meiosis Simplified  In simple words, Meiosis is the cell division that results in sex cells (like sperm and egg cells). Meiosis results in “daughter” cells that have HALF of the genetic material of the original cell.  Meiosis has two parts: Meiosis 1 and Meiosis 2. After Meiosis 1, 2 daughter cells are haploid. That means they have half the genetic material of the original cell.

What is the difference between Meiosis and Mitosis?  These two sound the same but they are actually very different!  Mitosis: cell division where the cell nucleus divides. Mitosis results in two daughter cells that are exactly like the parent cell.  Meiosis results in four daughter cells that each have only half of the genetic material of the parent cell.

Meiosis 1

Meiosis 2