Meiosis I : Reductional Cell Division: Stages, Overview & Importance

Meiosis I : Reductional Cell Division: Stages, Overview & Importance

Irshad AnwarUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 05:59 PM IST

Meiosis specialises in contributing to sexual reproduction in eukaryotic organisms: plants, animals, and fungi. Unlike mitosis, it brings about a reduction in the number of chromosomes by half to create gametes-sperm and eggs-genetically unique cells. Meiosis I is a topic of the chapter Cell Cycle and Cell Division in Biology.

This Story also Contains

  1. Meiosis I
  2. Meiosis I Stages
  3. Significance of Meiosis I
  4. Recommended Video for Meiosis I
Meiosis I : Reductional Cell Division: Stages, Overview & Importance
Meiosis I

Meiosis I

Meiosis I is a reductional cell division that halves the number of chromosomes. It changes a diploid to a haploid state so that gametes can then combine during reproduction without excessive chromosome numbers. The reduction is accomplished in two successive cell divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II.

Whereas mitosis produces two identical daughter cells, meiosis I produce two cells that differ from each other. The parent cell after prophase I, in which homologous chromosomes pair up, and anaphase I, during which the paired chromosomes separate. This way, by allowing for more genetic diversity through crossing over, all the resulting gametes will have a unique combination of genetic material, being thus a driver for evolutionary adaptation.

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Commonly Asked Questions

Q: What is the role of the meiosis-specific cohesin subunit Rec8 in meiosis I?
A:
Rec8 is a meiosis-specific cohesin subunit that plays a crucial role in holding sister chromatids together during meiosis I. It is cleaved along the chromosome arms during anaphase I but remains intact at the centromeres until anaphase II, ensuring proper chromosome segregation.
Q: How does the concept of recombination nodules relate to crossing over in meiosis I?
A:
Recombination nodules are protein complexes visible under an electron microscope during prophase I. They mark the sites where crossing over occurs between homologous chromosomes, facilitating the exchange of genetic material.
Q: How does the behavior of cohesins at the centromeres during meiosis I contribute to proper chromosome segregation?
A:
Cohesins at the centromeres remain intact during meiosis I, keeping sister chromatids together. This ensures that homologous chromosomes, rather than sister chromatids, separate during anaphase I, maintaining the correct chromosome number in the resulting cells.
Q: How does the concept of meiotic drive relate to chromosome segregation in meiosis I?
A:
Meiotic drive refers to the preferential transmission of certain alleles or chromosomes during meiosis. In meiosis I, this could manifest as the preferential segregation of one homolog over another, potentially leading to distorted inheritance patterns.
Q: How does the concept of centromere drive relate to chromosome segregation in meiosis I?
A:
Centromere drive is the preferential transmission of chromosomes with "stronger" centromeres during female meiosis I. Stronger centromeres are more likely to orient towards the egg side of the meiotic spindle, increasing their chances of being retained in the oocyte rather than the polar body.

Meiosis I Stages

Meiosis I is studied under Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I and Telophase I.

Prophase I

  • It is the longest phase of meiosis I.

  • It is divided into five substages: leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene and diakinesis.

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Leptotene

  • The chromatin begins to condense to form chromosomes.

  • Chromosomes appear as thin and long threads.

  • By the end of this phase, chromosomes become visible under a microscope.

Zygotene

  • The pairing of the homologous chromosomes initiates in this phase.

  • The pairing of homologous chromosomes is called synapsis.

  • The synapsed homologous chromosomes appear in the form of bivalent chromosomes or tetrad of chromatids.

  • In the tetrad, two similar chromatids of the same chromosome are called sister chromatids and those of two homologous chromosomes are termed non-sister chromatids.

  • A filamentous ladder-like nucleoproteins complex, called a synaptonemal complex appears between the homologous chromosomes. It holds the homologous chromosomes together.

Pachytene

  • The exchange of parts between non-sister chromatids occurs during this phase.

  • It is called the crossing over.

  • Crossing over occurs through breakage and reunion of chromatid segments.

  • Breakage is called nicking. It is assisted by an enzyme endonuclease.

  • Reunion is termed annealing. It is aided by an enzyme ligase.

Diplotene

  • This phase involves pulling away the synapsed homologous chromosomes.

  • The point of attachment of the homologous chromosomes where crossing over occurs is called chiasma.

  • Homologous chromosomes remain attached only at chiasma.

  • There can be more than one chiasmata.

Diakinesis

  • It marks the terminalization of chiasma.

  • The nuclear membrane and nucleolus degenerate.

  • Chromosome recondenses and tetrad moves to the metaphase plate.

  • Spindle fibres begin to form.

  • When the diakinesis of prophase-I is completed than cell enters into metaphase-I.


Prophase I

Metaphase I

  • During this phase, bivalents arrange themselves on the metaphase plate.

  • Hence, a fully formed spindle and equatorial alignment of the chromosomes are seen during this phase.

  • The alignment of homologous chromosomes is independent of each other.

  • This is responsible for generating genetic variability.

Anaphase I

  • The homologous chromosomes of each bivalent separate from each other.

  • The separated homologous chromosomes move to opposite poles

  • Therefore, in this phase, the chromosomes separate and not the chromatids.

  • So, each chromosome will still have two sister chromatids.

  • Hence, anaphase I involve a reduction in the number of chromosomes.


Anaphase I

Telophase I

  • Two daughter nuclei are formed but the chromosome number is half the chromosome number of the mother cell.

  • This phase is not necessarily complete wholly.

  • The spindle disappears, but new nuclear envelopes need not form before the onset of meiosis II.

Cytokinesis I

  • It may or may not follow the telophase I.

  • When it occurs, it forms the dyad of cells.

Interkinesis

  • Following cytokinesis I, the cells enter interkinesis.

  • It is also known as intermeiotic interphase.

  • During this phase, there is no duplication or replication of DNA as the chromosomes are already duplicated.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: How does the behavior of sister chromatids differ in meiosis I compared to mitosis?
A:
In meiosis I, sister chromatids remain attached at their centromeres and move together to the same pole during anaphase I. In contrast, during mitosis, sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles during anaphase.
Q: How does the duration of prophase I compare to other phases of meiosis I?
A:
Prophase I is typically the longest phase of meiosis I. It involves several complex processes, including chromosome condensation, synapsis, and crossing over. The extended duration allows for these critical events to occur, ensuring genetic recombination and proper chromosome alignment.
Q: What is the role of chiasmata in meiosis I?
A:
Chiasmata are physical connections between homologous chromosomes that form during prophase I. They represent the sites of crossing over and play a crucial role in holding homologous chromosomes together until anaphase I, ensuring proper chromosome segregation.
Q: What would happen if homologous chromosomes failed to separate during anaphase I?
A:
If homologous chromosomes failed to separate during anaphase I, it would result in an abnormal distribution of chromosomes in the daughter cells. This could lead to aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome number) in the resulting gametes and potentially in offspring.
Q: Why is meiosis I called the "reductional division"?
A:
Meiosis I is called the "reductional division" because it reduces the chromosome number from diploid (2n) to haploid (n). This occurs when homologous chromosomes separate during anaphase I, resulting in daughter cells with half the original chromosome number.

Significance of Meiosis I

Meiosis I is essential in providing ways in which genetic diversity can take place. Through crossing over processes during prophase I and independent assortment that takes place in metaphase I leads to specific sets of genetic materials that form the gametes. Such genetic diversity is quite important for the survival as well as adaptation of species.

Since it allows for greater variability in the offspring; this way, they could become better adapted to changing environmental conditions. Meiosis I also provides for the decreased number of chromosomes from diploid to haploid so that when such gametes fuse during fertilisation. The correct number of chromosomes characteristic of the species is present in the zygote. Thus, meiosis I is recognised as a process of great importance in maintaining genetic integrity and therefore in promoting evolutionary success among sexually reproducing organisms.

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Commonly Asked Questions

Q: What is the primary goal of meiosis I?
A:
The primary goal of meiosis I is to reduce the chromosome number by half, from diploid (2n) to haploid (n). This is achieved through the separation of homologous chromosomes, resulting in daughter cells with half the original number of chromosomes.
Q: How does meiosis I differ from mitosis?
A:
Meiosis I differs from mitosis in several key ways: 1) It reduces chromosome number by half, 2) It involves homologous chromosome pairing and crossing over, 3) It results in genetically diverse daughter cells, and 4) It is followed by a second division (meiosis II) without DNA replication.
Q: How does crossing over contribute to genetic diversity?
A:
Crossing over involves the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I. This process creates new combinations of alleles on each chromosome, increasing genetic diversity in the resulting gametes and, ultimately, in offspring.
Q: What is the significance of the metaphase plate in meiosis I?
A:
The metaphase plate in meiosis I is where paired homologous chromosomes align. Unlike in mitosis, where individual chromosomes align, the alignment of homologous pairs in meiosis I is crucial for their proper separation during anaphase I.
Q: What is synapsis and why is it important in meiosis I?
A:
Synapsis is the pairing of homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis I. It is important because it allows for genetic recombination through crossing over, which increases genetic diversity in the resulting gametes.


Recommended Video for Meiosis I



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the role of the meiosis-specific cohesin subunit Smc1β in meiosis I?
A:
Smc1β is a meiosis-specific cohesin subunit that plays a crucial role in sister chromatid coh
Q: How does the concept of meiotic checkpoint proteins relate to the progression of meiosis I?
A:
Meiotic checkpoint proteins monitor various aspects of meiosis I, such as DNA damage, synapsis, and recombination. They can halt meiotic progression if errors are detected, ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation and the production of viable gametes.
Q: What is the significance of the synaptonemal complex lateral element protein SYCP3 in meiosis I?
A:
SYCP3 is a major component of the lateral elements of the synaptonemal complex. It plays a crucial role in the assembly and maintenance of the synaptonemal complex during prophase I, facilitating chromosome pairing, synapsis, and recombination.
Q: What is the role of the synaptonemal complex central element protein SYCE2 in meiosis I?
A:
SYCE2 is a protein component of the central element of the synaptonemal complex. It plays a crucial role in the assembly and stability of the synaptonemal complex during prophase I, facilitating synapsis and crossing over between homologous chromosomes.
Q: What is the significance of the polar body formation in female meiosis I?
A:
In female meiosis I, one daughter cell becomes the secondary oocyte, while the other becomes a small polar body. This unequal division conserves cytoplasmic resources in the oocyte, which is crucial for early embryonic development if fertilization occurs.
Q: How does the concept of chromosomal inversions affect crossing over during meiosis I?
A:
Chromosomal inversions can suppress crossing over in the inverted region during meiosis I. This is because the inverted segment cannot properly align with its homologous partner, reducing the likelihood of recombination in that area.
Q: What is the significance of the chiasma terminalization during late prophase I?
A:
Chiasma terminalization is the apparent movement of chiasmata towards the ends of chromosomes during late prophase I. This process helps to resolve the physical connections between homologous chromosomes, facilitating their proper separation during anaphase I.
Q: How does the concept of meiotic silencing of unpaired chromatin (MSUC) relate to meiosis I?
A:
MSUC is a process that silences chromosomal regions that fail to synapse during meiosis I. This mechanism helps to prevent the expression of potentially harmful genes from unpaired chromosomal segments and may play a role in maintaining genome integrity.
Q: How does the concept of crossover interference relate to genetic recombination in meiosis I?
A:
Crossover interference is the phenomenon where the occurrence of one crossover event reduces the likelihood of another crossover nearby on the same chromosome pair. This helps to ensure a more even distribution of crossovers along chromosomes during meiosis I.
Q: What is the significance of the bouquet-like arrangement of telomeres during early prophase I?
A:
The bouquet-like arrangement of telomeres during early prophase I brings homologous chromosomes into close proximity. This facilitates homology searching and pairing, which are crucial for successful synapsis and subsequent crossing over.