Meiosis - Clay Modelling

3.
7 Comparing Mitosis and Meiosis

All multicelled, eukaryotic species grow and repair tissue by mitosis, followed by
cytokinesis. Single-celled eukaryotic species follow the same process to repro-
duce asexually. Mitosis occurs in nonreproductive cells. In interphase, the cells
have a diploid chromosome number. Before mitotic division occurs, their DNA
is replicated. Reproductive cells also have a diploid chromosome number in
interphase. Before meiosis I, their DNA is replicated. However, there is no DNA
replication between meiosis I and meiosis II. Figures 1 and 2 summarize the sim-
ilarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis. As you examine Figures 1
and 2, make note of the chromosome number of the cell or cells, whether the
chromosome number is haploid or diploid, and during which stage the chromo-
some number changes.
The most significant difference between mitosis and meiosis is the end
results. Mitosis results only in clones of the original; all daughter cells are genet-
ically identical to each other and to the parent cell. Meiosis results in four cells
that are different from each other and from the parent. Meiosis, combined with
fertilization, explains the variation in traits that is observed in species that repro-
duce sexually. The variation occurs through three mechanisms. First, crossing
over during prophase I exchanges genes on the chromosomes. Second, during
metaphase I, the paternal and maternal chromosomes are randomly assorted.
Although homologues always go to opposite poles, a pole could receive all the
maternal chromosomes, all the paternal ones, or some combination. Lastly,
during fertilization, different combinations of chromosomes and genes occur
when two gametes unite.
In later chapters, you will learn about the ways in which meiosis and fertil-
ization contribute to the enormous diversity exhibited by sexually reproducing
organisms. You will learn about how sexual reproduction promotes genetic vari-
ability, and how this contributes to the survival of individuals, populations, and
entire species.
Meiosis I
prophase I metaphase I anaphase I telophase I
The replicated chromosomes con- Homologous chromosomes line Each chromosome separates The nucleus completes its divi-
dense. Homologous chromosomes up at the equatorial plate. from its homologue. They move to sion. The chromosomes are still
come together in synapsis and opposite poles of the cell. composed of sister chromatids.
crossing-over occurs. The cytoplasm divides after
Chromosomes attach to the spindle. telophase.
Figure 1
Stages of meiosis I.
108 Chapter 3
3.7
Mitosis
prophase metaphase anaphase telophase
The chromosomes condense, Chromosomes line up at the The centromeres divide and the Chromosomes lengthen again,
becoming shorter and thicker. The equatorial plate. The nuclear resulting chromosomes, formerly the spindle fibres dissolve, and a
centrioles assemble and spindle membrane completely dissolves. chromatids, move to opposite nuclear membrane forms around
fibres attach to the centromeres poles of the cell. An identical the chromosomes.
of the chromosomes. The nuclear set of chromosomes moves to
membrane starts to dissolve. each pole.
Meiosis II
prophase II metaphase II anaphase II telophase II
The centrioles in the two new Chromosomes line up at the Sister chromatids of each chro- The cytoplasm separates, leaving
cells move to opposite poles and equatorial plate. mosome separate and move to four haploid daughter cells. The
new spindle fibres form. The opposite poles. chromosome number has been
chromosomes become attached reduced by half. These cells may
to the spindle. become gametes.
Figure 2
Comparsion of the stages in mitosis and meiosis II
Cell Division 109

Activity 3.7.1
Comparing Mitosis and Meiosis
In this investigation, you will model and compare the events of mitosis and meiosis.
Materials
blue modelling clay plastic knife
red modelling clay sheets of paper
green modelling clay pencil
Procedure
For each step, make a coloured sketch of your model with appropriate labels.
Include brief descriptions of your steps and make sure to use the same step num-
bers as given.
Part 1: Mitosis
1. Take some red clay and roll it between your hands to create a piece 10 cm
long and about as thick as your finger. Make another piece about 5 cm long.
2. Repeat step 1 with the blue clay.
3. Make an identical copy of each piece of clay. Then attach the identical
pieces with a green ball of clay (Figure 3).
4. Draw a line down the length of a sheet of paper. Line up the four chromo-
somes along the line (Figure 4).
Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6
110 Chapter 3
3.7
Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9
5. Remove the green balls and move each of the single pieces of clay to opposite
ends of the paper (Figure 5).
6. If the cell is going to divide again, each single chromosome must synthesize
a duplicate during interphase. Make an identical copy
of each piece of clay as before (Figure 6).
Part 2: Meiosis
7. Follow steps 1 to 3 from part 1.
8. Demonstrate crossing-over. Break off a piece of clay from one chromosome
and attach it to the other chromosome (Figure 7). Repeat a few times if
you like.
9. To simulate metaphase I, place the chromosomes on either side of the
equatorial plate, represented by a line drawn on a piece of paper (Figure 8).
10. Choose one of the haploid daughter cells and line the chromosomes up
along the equatorial plate. Remove the centromere and move chromosomes
to opposite poles (Figure 9).
Analysis
Part 1: Mitosis
(a) In step 3, what process did you model?
(b) What do the red and blue pieces of clay represent? What do the green balls
of clay represent?
(c) In step 4, what is the diploid chromosome number of the cell?
(d) What phase of mitosis does the model represent?
(e) In step 5, what structure do the single pieces of clay represent after separa-
tion?
(f) What phase of mitosis does the model represent?
(g) In step 6, how many chromosomes are in each of the daughter cells?
(h) Compare the daughter cells with the parent cell.
Part 2: Meiosis
(i) In steps 1 to 3, on what basis are chromosomes considered to be homolo-
gous?
(j) What is the diploid chromosome number?
(k) In step 8, what must happen before the homologous chromosomes can
cross over?
(l) In which phase does crossing over occur?
(m) What happens during crossing over?
Cell Division 111

Meiosis - Clay Modelling

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Meiosis - Clay Modelling

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Meiosis - Clay Modelling

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are the similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis?

What are the stages of mitosis and meiosis?

3.

7 Comparing Mitosis and Meiosis

prophase I metaphase I anaphase I telophase I

prophase metaphase anaphase telophase

prophase II metaphase II anaphase II telophase II

Cell Division 109

Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6

Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9

Cell Division 111

You might also like