The Importance of Meiosis Flashcards

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What does meiosis make for sexual reproduction?

Haploid gametes, like sperm and egg cells, with half the chromosomes.

Why must gametes be haploid before fertilisation?

So fertilisation restores the diploid number and keeps it stable.

Why is meiosis, not mitosis, used to make gametes?

Meiosis halves chromosome number and makes varied gametes. Mitosis does not.

How does meiosis create genetic variation in gametes?

Chromosomes are mixed and swapped, so each gamete is different.

What is crossing over and why is it important?

Paired chromosomes swap DNA. This makes new allele combinations.

How does random assortment of chromosomes add to variation?

Each gamete gets a random mix of chromosomes from each parent.

How does random fertilisation increase variation?

Any sperm can fertilise any egg, making many gene mixes.

Why is variation from meiosis important for a species?

It helps some individuals survive disease or changes in the environment.

In humans, what are the chromosome numbers before and after meiosis?

Body cells are diploid with 46 chromosomes. Gametes are haploid with 23.

How does meiosis help explain why siblings differ?

Each child gets a different mix of alleles from parents, so they vary.