Meiosis

Production of Gametes

Gametes required for sexual reproduction are formed in the reproductive organs (testes and ovaries) in a process called meiosis.

Meiosis creates gametes that contain half the amount of genetic information as the parent organism (haploid) so when they fuse together in fertilisation, they have a full set of chromosomes to create a new organism. Each gamete has a different set of chromosomes which creates genetic variation in the offspring. 

1.  Cells in reproductive organs begin to duplicate their chromosomes. They form ‘X- shaped‘, two armed chromosomes, each arm is identical to the other arm.
2. The chromosomes then line up in pairs along the centre of the cell. Pairs consist of chromosomes inherited from the mother and the father. In this stage there may be some swapping of genetic material between the chromosomes. 
3. The chromosomes are pulled apart to opposite ends on the cell and the cell divides forming two new cells. 
4. The chromosomes line up in the centre of the cells again and each arm is pulled to opposite ends. 
5. Four new haploid cells (gametes) are created, each with different sets of chromosomes and half the amount of genetic material as the original cell.

Fertilisation

In fertilisation, gametes from the male and female organisms meet and their nuclei fuse together. This forms a fertilised egg or zygote that contains a full set of chromosomes (half from the mother and half from the father).

The zygote will then divide multiple times by mitosis to form an embryo (small bundle of cells).

Cells then begin to differentiate into specialised cells that will make up different body tissues and perform specific functions in the new organism.

Mitosis vs. Meiosis 

Mitosis and meiosis are both forms of cell division that allow the creation of new life. However there are many key differences between the processes: