Modeling Meiosis with
Phineus and Philomena
As Phineus prepared for the picnic in the
forest, he couldn’t take his eyes off the very
beautiful Drosophila named Philomena.
Phineus was absolutely enamored with
everything about Philomena from her big
buggy eyes to her swanky, slender wings.
She’s as
cute as a
bug!
Being the gentleman that Phineus was, he decided
to pick fresh blueberries and share them with
Philomena.
Roses are red,
violets are blue,
Nothing would
make me happier
than sharing this
berry with you!
She was so smitten with his thoughtful
nature that it became LOVE AT FIRST BITE!
P+P=
Forever
Soon, the couple thought that it was time to pass on
their genetic material to their offspring. Luckily, the
process of meiosis will help them create these
reproductive cells.
Thank
goodness for
meiosis!
With 4 chromosomes from Phineus and 4
chromosomes from Philomena, their new baby fly
will have the correct number of 8 chromosomes.
4
sperm
+
4
egg
=
8
zygote
Let’s help Phineus and Philomena create these
reproductive cells by modeling MEIOSIS.
Video Animations

Meiosis Square dance!
Quick Assessment
1. What kinds of cells are created
In meiosis?
4. Which phase is shown?
Sex cells
2.
If a human has 46 chromosomes,
How many chromosomes are in
Each sex cell (sperm and egg)?
Prophase I
5.
Which phase is shown?
23
Metaphase II
3. Why do sex cells need HALF the
Number of chromosomes?
So when 2 sex cells combine,
The new cell (zygote) has a full
number of chromosomes