| Meiosis I | |
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As discussed in part one of this series, meiosis is a two-part cell division process in organisms that sexually reproduce which results in gametes with one half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell. Let's look at an overview of the last two phases of meiosis I.
Anaphase I
Anaphase I is very similar to anaphase in mitosis.
The following changes occur:
- Chromosomes move to the opposite cell poles. Similar to mitosis, the microtubules and the kinetochore fibers interact to cause the movement.
- Unlike in mitosis, the homologous chromosomes move to opposite poles yet the sister chromatids remain together.
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Telophase I
Likewise, telophase I is similar to telophase in mitosis.
The following changes occur:
- The spindles continue to move the homologous chromosomes to the poles.
- Once movement is complete, each pole has a haploid number of chromosomes.
- In most cases, cytokinesis occurs at the same time as telophase I.
- At the end of telophase I and cytokinesis, two daughter cells are produced, each with one half the number of chromosomes of the original parent cell.
- Depending on the kind of cell, various processes occur in preparation for meiosis II. There is however a constant: The genetic material does not replicate again.
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Next page > Meiosis II
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