Essential Knowledge: 3.A.2 In eukaryotes, heritable information is passed to the next generation via processes that
include the cell cycle and mitosis or meiosis plus fertilization.
C. Meiosis, a reduction division, followed by fertilization ensures genetic diversity in sexually reproducing organisms.
1. Compare / contrast somatic cells and gametes. State the number of chromosomes that would be found in
human for each cell type. Compare /contrast autosomes and sex chromosomes. State the number of each that
would found in a human somatic cell and a human gamete. In your explanation, be sure to discuss what is
meant by the terms haploid and diploid.
2. What is a karyotype? How is it created? What are three things that can be determined by looking at a
karyotype? In your explanation, be sure to discuss what is meant by homologous chromosomes.
3. What is the purpose of meiosis? In animals, where does meiosis take place – be specific, differentiating
between males and female. Explain how plants differ from animals in the production of gametes. Be sure to
discuss the terms sporophyte, gametophyte, meiosis and mitosis.
4. In meiosis, the DNA is replicated during interphase, followed by two divisions. The first division is meiosis I.
The events of prophase I are significant. Explain each of these events:
syapsis –
crossing over –
chiasmata –
5. How are the events of meiosis I different from the events of mitosis? What will separate in the division of
meiosis I? Are the resultant daughter cells haploid or diploid?
6. How are the events of meiosis II different from the events of meiosis I and the events of mitosis? What will
separate in the division of meiosis II? Are the resultant daughter cells haploid or diploid?
7. Compare / contrast mitosis and meiosis in the following areas
Mitosis
Meiosis
Role in animal cells
Number of DNA replications
Number of divisions
Number daughter cells
Chromosomes # in daughter cells
Occurrence of synapsis
Occurrence of crossing over
8. Together meiosis and fertilization ensure genetic diversity in sexually reproducing organism. The three ways
that sexual reproduction increase genetic variation are listed below. Explain what occurs in each and how this
increases diversity.

Independent assortment of chromosomes

Crossing over

Random fertilization