The Role of Meiosis Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What does meiotic cell division produce?

Four genetically different haploid gametes from one parent cell.

What does 'haploid' mean?

The cell has half the number of chromosomes of a body cell (one set).

What is a gamete?

A haploid sex cell, e.g. a sperm cell or egg cell.

How do you work out the number of chromosomes in a gamete?

e.g. the diploid number of a mouse is 40

1. Gametes are haploid, so they have half the diploid number.
2. Divide by 2: $40 \div 2 = 20$ chromosomes in a mouse sperm cell.

How do the products of meiosis differ from the products of mitosis?

Meiosis gives four genetically different haploid cells; mitosis gives two genetically identical diploid cells.

True or false? The gametes made by meiosis from one cell are all genetically identical.

False. They are genetically different from each other and from the parent cell.