Biology, Eighth Edition (Raven)

Chapter 52: The Reproductive Systems

Unique Features of Meiosis

How is meiosis related to genetic inheritance? The basic principles of genetic inheritance are segregation and independent assortment. Each individual has two alleles for a particular gene. Only one of these alleles is passed on to any particular offspring that individual might have. The alleles segregate. The principle of independent assortment states that the segregation of alleles for one gene is not affected by the segregation of alleles of any other gene. The principles of genetic inheritance are based on unique features of meiosis. Synapsis of homologous chromosomes and the separation of the homologous pairs during anaphase I cause the segregation of alleles. Crossing over and the random separation of chromosomes cause independent assortment.

View the animation below, then complete the quiz to test your knowledge of the concept.


1.	Which of the following features are unique to meiosis?

		A)	synapsis
		B)	homologous recombination
		C)	reduction division
		D)	A and B
		E)	A, B and C

2.	A crossover in meiosis is an exchange of genetic material between

		A)	sister chromatids of the same chromosome.
		B)	sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes.
		C)	sister chromatids of non-homologous chromosomes.
		D)	non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes.
		E)	non-sister chromatids of non-homologous chromosomes.

3.	The four daughter cells produced in meiosis

		A)	are diploid just like the parent cell.
		B)	have double the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
		C)	have one-fourth the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.
		D)	have one of each pair of chromosomes found in the parent cell.
		E)	have identical chromosomes.

4.	Crossing-over occurs in meiosis I and meiosis II.

		A)	True
		B)	False

5.	Chromosome duplication occurs between meiosis I and meiosis II.

		A)	True
		B)	False