During meiosis i, homologous chromosomes form a tetrad. what does this accomplish?

Learning Objectives

• Describe the stages and results of meiosis I

Meiosis is preceded by an interphase consisting of three stages. The G1 phase (also called the first gap phase) initiates this stage and is focused on cell growth. The S phase is next, during which the DNA of the chromosomes is replicated. This replication produces two identical copies, called sister chromatids, that are held together at the centromere by cohesin proteins. The centrosomes, which are the structures that organize the microtubules of the meiotic spindle, also replicate. Finally, during the G2 phase (also called the second gap phase), the cell undergoes the final preparations for meiosis.

During prophase I, chromosomes condense and become visible inside the nucleus. As the nuclear envelope begins to break down, homologous chromosomes move closer together. The synaptonemal complex, a lattice of proteins between the homologous chromosomes, forms at specific locations, spreading to cover the entire length of the chromosomes. The tight pairing of the homologous chromosomes is called synapsis. In synapsis, the genes on the chromatids of the homologous chromosomes are aligned with each other. The synaptonemal complex also supports the exchange of chromosomal segments between non-sister homologous chromatids in a process called crossing over. The crossover events are the first source of genetic variation produced by meiosis. A single crossover event between homologous non-sister chromatids leads to an exchange of DNA between chromosomes. Following crossover, the synaptonemal complex breaks down and the cohesin connection between homologous pairs is also removed. At the end of prophase I, the pairs are held together only at the chiasmata; they are called tetrads because the four sister chromatids of each pair of homologous chromosomes are now visible.

The key event in prometaphase I is the formation of the spindle fiber apparatus where spindle fiber microtubules attach to the kinetochore proteins at the centromeres. Microtubules grow from centrosomes placed at opposite poles of the cell. The microtubules move toward the middle of the cell and attach to one of the two fused homologous chromosomes at the kinetochores. At the end of prometaphase I, each tetrad is attached to microtubules from both poles, with one homologous chromosome facing each pole. In addition, the nuclear membrane has broken down entirely.

During metaphase I, the tetrads move to the metaphase plate with kinetochores facing opposite poles. The homologous pairs orient themselves randomly at the equator. This event is the second mechanism that introduces variation into the gametes or spores. In each cell that undergoes meiosis, the arrangement of the tetrads is different. The number of variations is dependent on the number of chromosomes making up a set. There are two possibilities for orientation at the metaphase plate. The possible number of alignments, therefore, equals 2n, where n is the number of chromosomes per set. Given these two mechanisms, it is highly unlikely that any two haploid cells resulting from meiosis will have the same genetic composition.

In anaphase I, the microtubules pull the attached chromosomes apart. The sister chromatids remain tightly bound together at the centromere. The chiasmata are broken in anaphase I as the microtubules attached to the fused kinetochores pull the homologous chromosomes apart.

In telophase I, the separated chromosomes arrive at opposite poles. In some organisms, the chromosomes decondense and nuclear envelopes form around the chromatids in telophase I. Then cytokinesis, the physical separation of the cytoplasmic components into two daughter cells, occurs without reformation of the nuclei. In nearly all species of animals and some fungi, cytokinesis separates the cell contents via a cleavage furrow (constriction of the actin ring that leads to cytoplasmic division). In plants, a cell plate is formed during cell cytokinesis by Golgi vesicles fusing at the metaphase plate. This cell plate will ultimately lead to the formation of cell walls that separate the two daughter cells.

Two haploid cells are the end result of the first meiotic division. The cells are haploid because at each pole there is just one of each pair of the homologous chromosomes. Therefore, only one full set of the chromosomes is present. Although there is only one chromosome set, each homolog still consists of two sister chromatids.

Key Points

• Meiosis is preceded by interphase which consists of the G1 phase (growth), the S phase ( DNA replication), and the G2 phase.
• During prophase I, the homologous chromosomes condense and become visible as the x shape we know, pair up to form a tetrad, and exchange genetic material by crossing over.
• During prometaphase I, microtubules attach at the chromosomes’ kinetochores and the nuclear envelope breaks down.
• In metaphase I, the tetrads line themselves up at the metaphase plate and homologous pairs orient themselves randomly.
• In anaphase I, centromeres break down and homologous chromosomes separate.
• In telophase I, chromosomes move to opposite poles; during cytokinesis the cell separates into two haploid cells.

Key Terms

• crossing over: the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes that results in recombinant chromosomes
• tetrad: two pairs of sister chromatids (a dyad pair) aligned in a certain way and often on the equatorial plane during the meiosis process
• chromatid: either of the two strands of a chromosome that separate during meiosis