6.1.2

Meiosis

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Meiosis and Mitosis

Sexual reproduction is the fusion (joining together) of male and female gametes. Cells in reproductive organs divide by meiosis to create gametes. Gametes contain half of the number of chromosomes (containing DNA) found in all body cells.

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Cells split

  • Each cell has a pair of each chromosome (diploid cell).
  • During meiosis each pair of chromosomes replicate and the cell splits in two.
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Further cell splitting

  • There are now two identical cells.
  • The diploid cell divides again.
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Haploid cells created

  • This creates four genetically different gametes that each have half the number of chromosomes that are found in the parent cell.
    • Cells that have only one copy of each chromosome (such as gametes) are called haploid cells.
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Gametes fertilise

  • During sexual reproduction, the male gamete fertilises the female gamete and the fertilised cell now has the normal number of chromosomes (46 in humans).
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Mitosis

  • Once the gametes have combined, the new cell divides by mitosis (the cell grows asexually).
  • As soon as the embryo reaches a certain size, cells begin to differentiate (specialise).

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

1.1What's in Cells?

1.2Cell Division

1.3Transport in Cells

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

5.1Homeostasis

5.2The Human Nervous System

5.3Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4Plant Hormones

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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