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Meiosis Lab
Objectives:
1. Model stages of meiosis in an animal cell.
2. Demonstrate genetic recombination
3. Relate events of meiosis to the formation of haploid gametes.
Purpose: To tutor students in order to gain a better understanding of the phases of meiosis
and their purposes. Use paper models as aides.
Background: The body cells of plant and animals are diploid. A diploid (2n) cell has two
sets of chromosomes in its nucleus. A cell with only one set of chromosomes in its nucleus
is termed haploid (n). Gametes, egg and sperm, are examples of haploid cells. When
gametes fuse at fertilization, a diploid zygote is formed. The zygote contains one set of
chromosomes from each parent.
Meiosis is a process that produces haploid cells, such as gametes from diploid cells. Before
meiosis begins, DNA replication occurs. Following replication, each chromosome consists of
two chromatids that are joined by a centromere. Meiosis involves two successive division
of the nucleus.
Materials:
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Lab drawing sheet
Blank sheet of paper
Scissors
Glue
Colored pencils/markers
Procedure:
1. Cut out each cell drawing from the back of the lab. (There are 16 total)
2. Paste them on the sheet of paper provided in the correct order of meiosis.
3. Next to each drawing, provide details happening during this stage. Be specific –
Use vocabulary from Chapter 8!
4. Complete analysis questions.
Analysis Questions
1. What is the function of the centromere?
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2. How many cells are made at the end of meiosis and what are they called?
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3. What difference is prophase in mitosis to meiosis?
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4. Explain why meiosis is important in sexual reproduction.
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5. How does crossing over affect the rate of evolution?
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6. What would happen if homologus chromosomes did not pair up during prophase I.
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7. How does prophase I differ from prophase II?
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8. How does metaphase in mitosis differ from metaphase I and metaphase II.
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9. Why are the end results of meiosis haploid cells?
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10. Why is it that siblings are not identical to each other if the genes are from both of
the same parents? What process creates this variation?
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