Module 10: Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction

Meiosis and sexual reproduction provide our understanding of how the molecular system is itself generated in replica and transforms all the time. Generally, there is varying resemblance among related individuals. Thus, offspring tend to resemble their parents rather than unrelated individuals within the population. We have come to understand the genotype (molecular nature) as it relates to the phenotype (physical nature) and how this ordered relatedness is maintained from one generation to the next generation and so on in a process of transmission of molecular properties in biological form referred to as traits. These traits are transmitted from parents to offspring such that the traits can show up as similar or as varied features. Hence, traits are described as hereditary and the fact that they are inherited provide an ordered pathway of how life functions and the biological mechanisms that are embodied in molecular packets called genes. In sexually reproducing organisms, meiosis is a special cell division that is unlike mitosis in several respects, as each parent produce cells which contain typically half of their original chromosome and it is the fusion of these half chromosome content or haploid cells (sperm and egg) that yield the zygote or diploid fertilized egg or cell with the restored original chromosome content that maintains a species' complete chromosome set during their sexual life cycle.

1. Describe the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis, and the differences between the first and second meiotic divisions (Course Outcome #4)
   
2. Describe the cellular events that take place during meiosis (Course Outcome #2 & #4)
3. Explain the differences between meiosis and mitosis (Course Outcome #4)
4. Explain the mechanisms within the meiotic process that produce genetic variation among the haploid gamete (Course Outcome #4)
5. Explain that meiosis and sexual reproduction are highly evolved traits (Course Outcome #4)
6. Identify variation among offspring as a potential evolutionary advantage of sexual reproduction (Course Outcome #4)
7. Describe the three different life-cycle types among sexually reproducing multicellular organisms. (Course Outcome #2, #4 & #5)

To achieve these objectives:

1. Read the Module 10 Introduction 
   
2. Read and view the materials in the Module 10 Pressbooks book, embedded below by section for the chapter titled Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction. 
3. Complete the assignment and discussion forum post and response.

Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities