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Topic: Significance of Mitosis

some

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Mitosis or the equational division is usually restricted to the diploid cells only. However, in some lower
plants
and
in
social
insects
haploid cells also
divide by mitosis. It is very essential to understand the significance of this division in the life of an organism.

Mitosis usually results in the production of diploid daughter cells with identical genetic complement. The growth of
multicellular organisms is due to mitosis. Cell growth results in disturbing the ratio between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. It
therefore becomes essential for the cell to divide to restore the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. A very significant contribution of mitosis is cell
repair. The cells of the upper layer of the epidermis, cells of the lining of the gut, and blood cells are being constantly
replaced. Mitotic divisions
the
meristematic tissues
apical
in
the the lateral
cambium, result in a continuous growth of plants throughout their life.
and

Slide 20

• Meiosis: Reductional division: chromosome no will reduce to half.

G1→S→ G2

Prophase-I
Metaphase-I

Anaphase-I
Telophase-I

Cytokinesis
Meiosis-I

INTER-KINESIS
Prophase-I
Prophase-I

Metaphase-I
Leptotene-
Cozygotene
CT-conde-
-nsation

Anaphase-I
Pachytene
-nemal

Synapto. Diplotene
Crossing
Telophase-I
complex

Diakinesis over
Recombina

Gtokinesis
Synaptonemal
Complex
-tion

Meiosis-I
dissolve
Terminalisation of chiasmata
 Leptotene

Diplotene
Zygotene
R

XX
Diakinesis
Pachytene

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The

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Topic: Meiosis

of offspring by sexual reproduction

production
includes the fusion of two gametes, each
with a complete haploid set of chromosomes. Gametes are formed from specialised diploid cells. This specialised kind of cell division that
reduces the chromosome number by half results in the production of haploid daughter cells. This kind of division is called meiosis.
Meiosis ensures the production of haploid phase in the life cycle of sexually reproducing organisms whereas fertilisation restores the
diploid phase. We come across meiosis during gametogenesis in plants and animals. This leads to the formation of haploid gametes. The key
features of meiosis are as follows:
Slide 21
•

Meiosis involves two sequential cycles of nuclear and cell division called meiosis I and meiosis II but only a single cycle of DNA
replication.

Meiosis I is initiated after the parental chromosomes

to produce identical sister chromatids at the S phase.
have replicated

Meiosis involves pairing of homologous chromosomes and recombination between non- sister chromatids of homologous
chromosomes.

Four haploid cells are formed at the end of meiosis II.

Meiotic events can be grouped under the following phases:

Interkinesis

Slide 22

GIS-G2
Meiosis I
Meiosis II

Prophase I
Prophase II

Metaphase I
Metaphase II

Anaphase I
Anaphase II

Cytokinesis
Telophase I
Telophase II
Cytokinesis

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Topic: Meiosis-l

Prophase 13 Prophase of the first meiotic division is typically longer and more complex
when compared to prophase of mitosis. It has been further subdivided into the following five phases based on
chromosomal behaviour, i.e., Leptotene, Zygotene, Pachytene, Diplotene and Diakinesis.

During Cleptotene stage the chromosomes become gradually visible under the light
microscope. The compaction of chromosomes continues throughout leptotene. This is followed by the second
stage of prophase I called zygotene. During this stage chromosomes start pairing together and this process of
association is called synapsis. Such paired chromosomes are called homologous chromosomes. Electron
micrographs of this stage indicate that chromosome synapsis is accompanied by the formation of
complex structure called synaptonemal complex. The complex formed by a pair of synapsed
homologous chromosomes is called a bivalent or a tetrad. However,
(2-chromosome) (4-chromatids)
Slide 23
NON-SISTER
CHROMATIDS

SISTER SISTER
HOMOLOGOUS CHR.
these are more clearly visible at the next stage. The first two stages of prophase I are relatively short-lived compared
to the next stage that is pachytene. During this stage, the four chromatids of each bivalent chromosomes
becomes distinct and clearly appears as tetrads. This stage is characterised by the appearance of
recombination nodules, the sites at which crossing over occurs between non-sister chromatids of the homologous
chromosomes. Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between two homologous chromosomes.
Crossing over is also an enzyme-mediated process and the enzyme involved is called recombinase.
Crossing over leads to recombination of genetic material on the two chromosomes. Recombination between
homologous chromosomes is completed by the end of pachytene, leaving the chromosomes linked at the sites of
crossing over.
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Slide 24
The beginning of diplotene is recognised by the dissolution of the synaptonemal complex and the
tendency of the recombined homologous chromosomes of the bivalents to separate from each other except at
the sites of crossovers. These shaped structures, are called chiasmata. In oocytes of some vertebrates,
diplotene can last for months or years.

The final stage of meiotic prophase I is diakinesis. This is marked by terminalisation of

chiasmata. During this phase the chromosomes are fully condensed and the meiotic spindle is assembled to
prepare the homologous chromosomes for separation. By the end of diakinesis, the nucleolus disappears and
the nuclear envelope also breaks down. Diakinesis represents transition to metaphase.
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Slide 25
Metaphase I: The bivalent chromosomes align on the equatorial plate (Figure 10.3). The microtubules from the
opposite poles of the spindle attach to the kinetochore of homologous chromosomes.
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Slide 26

88
Prophase I
Metaphase 1
Anaphase 1
Telophase 1

Figure 10.3 Stages of Meiosis I

Anaphase I: The homologous chromosomes separate, while sister chromatids remain associated at
their centromeres (Figure 10.3).

Telophase I: The nuclear membrane and nucleolus reappear, cytokinesis follows and
this is called as dyad of cells (Figure 10.3). Although in many cases the chromosomes do undergo some
dispersion, they
do
reach
not

the extremely extended state of the interphase nucleus. The stage between the two meiotic divisions is
called interkinesis and is generally short lived. There is no replication of DNA during interkinesis. Interkinesis is
followed by prophase II, a much simpler prophase than prophase I.
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Slide 27

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Topic: Meiosis II
 Prophase II: Meiosis II is initiated immediately after cytokinesis, usually before the
chromosomes have fully elongated. In contrast to meiosis I, meiosis II resembles a normal mitosis. The nuclear
membrane disappears by the end of prophase II (Figure 10.4). The chromosomes again become compact.

Metaphase II: At this stage the chromosomes align at the equator and the microtubules from opposite
poles of the spindle get attached to the kinetochores (Figure 10.4) of sister chromatids.

Anaphase II: It begins with the simultaneous splitting of the centromere of each chromosome (which was
holding the sister chromatids together), allowing them to move toward opposite poles of the cell (Figure 10.4) by
shortening of microtubules attached to kinetochores.

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Telophase II: Meiosis ends with telophase II, in which the two groups of chromosomes once again get
enclosed by a nuclear envelope; cytokinesis follows resulting in the formation of tetrad of cells i.e., four
haploid daughter cells (Figure 10.4).
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Slide 29
Prophase II
Metaphase II

Anaphase II
Telophase II

Figure 10.4 Stages of Meiosis II

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Topic: Significance of meiosis

Meiosis is the mechanism by which conservation of specific chromosome number of each

species is achieved across generations in sexually reproducing organisms, even though the process, per se,
paradoxically, results in reduction of chromosome number by half. It also increases the genetic
variability in the population of organisms from one generation to the next. Variations are very important for
the process of evolution.

Slide 30
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NEET-2022

Which one of the following never occurs during mitotic cell division?
(1) Coiling and condensation of the chromatids
(2022)

(2) Spindle fibres attach to kinetochores of chromosomes

(3) Movement of centrioles towards opposite poles
Pairing of homologous chromosomes
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Slide 31

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NEET-2022

The appearance of recombination nodules on homologous

chromosomes during meiosis characterizes :
(1) Terminalization
(2) Synaptonemal complex
(3) Bivalent
(4) Sites at which crossing over occurs
(2022)

Slide 32
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