Meiosis produces four unique haploid gamete cells. Two divisions occur, enabling the DNA material to be reduced from two sets of chromosomes to one set of chromosomes. Crossing over at the chiasmata during prophase I creates genetic diversity as each recombinant chromosome possesses genes from both the maternal and paternal sets. Homologous chromosomes exchange sections of genes at specific loci. Genetic diversity is also increased during metaphase I where independent assortment occurs, where homologous chromosomes are randomly positioned independently of the other pairs, which increases the number of possibilities of chromosomes in each cell once the homologous chromosomes separate.
Learn more about the individual phases of meiosis by watching this stop motion animation video that my partner and I made!
When my partner and I started working on this video, we wanted to incorporate colorful materials that would allow us to specifically identify the different parts of meiosis. We therefore decided to use pink and orange playdough for the chromosomes, which would allow us to effectively represent crossing over by switching pieces playdough. We also chose to use green pipe cleaners for the mitotic spindle, purple beads for the centrioles, and light pink paper for the cell. This was the first time that I made a stop motion animation video and I really enjoyed the process! Taking several hundred pictures took a lot of time and effort, especially when we had to put each piece down in multiple independent steps. Editing the video was also a challenge because we encountered some glitches and some parts of the video needed to be slowed down, while other parts had to be sped up so that the voice over could match the visuals. However, I am very glad that we did a stop motion animation video because the video effectively represents the fact that meiosis is not just a series of independent steps, but a moving process.
Works Cited:
“Crossing Over.” Bio Ninja, ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-3-genetics/33-meiosis/crossing-over.html+.
“Homologous Chromosomes.” Biology, biology.stackexchange.com/questions/59287/what-are-homologous-chromosomes.
“Meiosis.” Khan Academy , http://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/cellular-molecular-biology/meiosis/a/phases-of-meiosis+.
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