BI111 Chapter Notes - Chapter 36: Sister Chromatids, Homologous Chromosome, Mendelian Inheritance
Document Summary
Parentally inherited chromosomes with the same genes are called homologous chromosomes. Prevention of doubling chromosome number is due to meiosis, a special type of cell division in reproductive cells. Meiosis is a two-phase process that divides the chromosomes of a parental cell in half, producing gametes or spores, also plays an important role in generating genetic diversity. Meiosis i separates homologous chromosomes and reduces the chromosomes number by half. Meiosis is preceded by phases during which the cell grows and dna and proteins are synthesized. Immediately prior to meiosis, each of the chromosomes has been copied, and the sister chromatids produced are held together at centromere. Mutations in an organism"s dna produces changes in genes. These can have neutral, deleterious, or beneficial effects.