This past week, I explored the process of meiosis via the production of a stop motion video.
What is the function of meiosis?
*The function of meiosis to creat haploid gamete cells to facilitate sexual reproduction. Meiosis allows for genetic diversity, which via the theory of natural selection, can help a species evolve and survive.
What events promote genetic variation during meiosis?
*There are three events in meiosis that promote genetic variation. The first event occurs during prophase 1, where crossing over occurs. This process of the sharing and reorganizing of genetic materials creates a genetic variation constant throughout meiosis. The second event, random alignment, occurs during metaphase I, in which the tetrads randomly align with genetic information split between the two future cells. Half the genetic material will account for one cell, the other half for the other. This process of random alignment happens again in metaphase II.
What causes non-disjunction?
*Non-disjunction occurs during anaphase I, when a pair of homologues fail to separate. This can be caused by the failure of separation of the tetrads in anaphase 1.
Panda bears have 42 chromosomes compared to 74 chromosomes found in most bears. How could this occur? Explain in terms of non-disjunction.
*Non disjunction is the reason panda bears have 42 chromosomes, instead of 74. After multiple generations, if cells with fewer chromosomes due to non-disjunction continued to divide in meiosis, eventually, a new species of bear would appear.
How could this lesson be improved?
*I believe this lesson could be improved by examining real cells that divide via meiosis, instead of creating them with pipe cleaners. Other options for demonstrating meiosis might include computer graphics, 3D printing, and drawing.
Stop Motion:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2QaxIXjzdGI
william0912 