Biology Flashcards: Explain Meiosis And Genetic Diversity

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This deck focuses on Explain Meiosis And Genetic Diversity, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for Biology.

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Flashcard 1: Choose the word that completes the statement: Meiosis produces cells that are  .

Answer: Haploid. Meiosis reduces chromosome number by half.

Flashcard 2: What is the minimum number of genetically distinct gamete types from independent assortment for $n=10$?

Answer: $2^{10} = 1024$. Ten chromosome pairs create many possible combinations.

Flashcard 3: Which process directly creates recombinant chromosomes: independent assortment or crossing over?

Answer: Crossing over. Physical exchange creates new chromosome combinations.

Flashcard 4: What is mitosis?

Answer: A one-division process producing two genetically identical cells. Maintains chromosome number for growth and tissue repair.

Flashcard 5: What does diploid mean in terms of chromosome sets?

Answer: Two sets of chromosomes ($2n$). Contains chromosomes from both parents in body cells.

Flashcard 6: Which process directly creates recombinant chromosomes: independent assortment or crossing over?

Answer: Crossing over. Physical exchange creates new chromosome combinations.

Flashcard 7: Which process includes two nuclear divisions: mitosis or meiosis?

Answer: Meiosis. Two sequential divisions create four cells.

Flashcard 8: Identify the phase when homologous pairs line up at the cell equator in meiosis.

Answer: Metaphase I. Homologous pairs align rather than single chromosomes.

Flashcard 9: What is a chiasma (plural chiasmata)?

Answer: The visible site where crossing over occurs. Physical evidence of genetic material exchange.

Flashcard 10: In which meiosis phase does crossing over occur?

Answer: Prophase I. When homologs are paired and can exchange segments.

Flashcard 11: What is the chromosome number change in mitosis from start to finish?

Answer: Chromosome number stays the same. Diploid parent produces diploid daughter cells.

Flashcard 12: What is meiosis?

Answer: A two-division process producing four haploid gametes. This reduction division creates sex cells for reproduction.

Flashcard 13: What is mitosis?

Answer: A one-division process producing two genetically identical cells. Maintains chromosome number for growth and tissue repair.

Flashcard 14: Which type of cell division produces gametes in animals: mitosis or meiosis?

Answer: Meiosis. Only meiosis reduces chromosome number to create sex cells.

Flashcard 15: Which type of cell division is primarily used for growth and repair: mitosis or meiosis?

Answer: Mitosis. Maintains diploid chromosome number for body cell replacement.

Flashcard 16: What is the chromosome number change in meiosis from start to finish?

Answer: Diploid to haploid (reduction division). Meiosis halves chromosome number from parent to gamete.

Flashcard 17: What does diploid mean in terms of chromosome sets?

Answer: Two sets of chromosomes ($2n$). Contains chromosomes from both parents in body cells.

Flashcard 18: What does haploid mean in terms of chromosome sets?

Answer: One set of chromosomes ($n$). Found in gametes with half the chromosome number.

Flashcard 19: What are homologous chromosomes?

Answer: A maternal and paternal pair with the same genes. Carry the same genes but may have different alleles.

Flashcard 20: What are sister chromatids?

Answer: Identical copies of one chromosome joined at a centromere. Result from DNA replication before cell division.

Flashcard 21: What is a tetrad (bivalent) in meiosis?

Answer: Paired homologous chromosomes with four chromatids total. Forms when homologs pair during prophase I.

Flashcard 22: What is synapsis in meiosis?

Answer: Pairing of homologous chromosomes during prophase I. Essential for crossing over and genetic recombination.

Flashcard 23: What is crossing over?

Answer: Exchange of DNA between non-sister chromatids of homologs. Creates new allele combinations on chromosomes.

Flashcard 24: Which meiosis division separates homologous chromosomes: meiosis I or meiosis II?

Answer: Meiosis I. Reduces chromosome number by half in first division.

Flashcard 25: Which meiosis division separates sister chromatids: meiosis I or meiosis II?

Answer: Meiosis II. Similar to mitosis, separating duplicated chromosomes.

Flashcard 26: What is the main purpose of meiosis I?

Answer: Reduce chromosome number by separating homologs. The reductional division creating haploid cells.

Flashcard 27: What is the main purpose of meiosis II?

Answer: Separate sister chromatids to form haploid cells. The equational division like mitosis.

Flashcard 28: What is independent assortment?

Answer: Random orientation of homologous pairs in metaphase I. Each pair aligns independently at the cell center.

Flashcard 29: In which meiosis phase does independent assortment occur?

Answer: Metaphase I. When chromosome pairs randomly orient before separation.

Flashcard 30: What is the genetic result of crossing over?

Answer: Recombinant chromatids with new allele combinations. New gene combinations increase genetic variation.