Chromosome organization in germ cells sets the stage for gamete formation. Homologous chromosome pairs must separate during meiosis so that each gamete receives exactly one chromosome from each pair, reducing the chromosome number by half and enabling the restoration of the diploid number in offspring.
đŦ Key Concepts
Germ cells start with diploid chromosome number (46)
Homologous pairs must separate during meiosis
Each gamete gets single set of chromosomes (23)
Fertilization restores diploid number in offspring
Chromosome Number Changes
Diploid 2n (46)
â
Meiosis
â
Haploid n (23)
Mitosis vs Meiosis Comparison
Mitosis
Same chromosome number Growth & repair
Meiosis
Half chromosome number Gamete formation
Gamete Formation Process
Start
Diploid germ cell
Meiosis
Chromosome separation
Result
Haploid gametes
Cellular Marvel!
During meiosis, each chromosome must find and pair with its homologous partner among 46 chromosomes - it's like finding your exact match in a crowd of nearly identical twins!
đ¯ Learning Objectives
Understand how chromosome separation during meiosis reduces chromosome number by half, enabling gametes to carry single gene sets that restore the diploid number when fertilization occurs.