Biology, Eighth Edition (Raven)

Chapter 11: Sexual Reproduction and Meiosis

Learning Outcomes

• Explain why both meiosis and syngamy are necessary for continued sexual reproduction.
• Differentiate between haploid and diploid in terms of genetic composition and indicate whether associated with somatic or gametic cells.
• Discuss the three major features that differentiate meiosis and mitosis.
• Identify the stages of meiosis I and the characteristic events of each stage.
• Describe the characteristic events of each stage of meiosis II and indicate how these events resemble mitosis.
• Explain how the homologues are held together during prophase I.
• Understand the genetic consequences of synaptonemal crossing over.
• Describe how the spindle-fiber attachment to chromosomes differs between mitosis and meiosis.
• Understand how and at what stage(s) chromosomes assort independently during meiosis.
• Understand how sexual reproduction is different from asexual reproduction.
• Indicate the evolutionary advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction and describe the most current explanations for its development.
• Understand the ultimate genetic and evolutionary consequences of meiosis and sexual reproduction.