Meiosis is known as reductional division, and it is also known as the basis of evolution. why is it so? Also, at the end of telophase 1 of meiosis 1, the chromosome number remains the same. why is it known as reductional division then?
Meiosis is known as reductional division, and it is also known as the basis of evolution. why is it so? Also, at the end of telophase 1 of meiosis 1, the chromosome number remains the same. why is it known as reductional division then?
Dear Student,
Meiosis is known as the reductional division beacuse it results in the reduction of the chromosome number to half. This type of cell division mainly occurs in the gametes (gametic meiosis). In some plants, it also takes place in the zygote (zygotic meiosis). As far as your doubt is concerned, the first phase of the meiosis (i.e. meiosis I) results in the reduction of chromosome number, thus it is called the reductional deivision.The second phase of meiosis (i.e. Meiosis II - is most similar ot the mitosis) does not undergo any reduction in chromosome number. Thus, it is called the equational division.
Now come to the second question why it is called the basis of evolution. The crossing over in the Prophase I of meiosis brings about the changes in the genome. These changes in the genome are inherit by the offspring which leads to variations in traits. These variation in traits are the basis of evolution.
Hope the answer is clear to you now.
Cheers!!!
Dear Student,
Meiosis is known as the reductional division beacuse it results in the reduction of the chromosome number to half. This type of cell division mainly occurs in the gametes (gametic meiosis). In some plants, it also takes place in the zygote (zygotic meiosis). As far as your doubt is concerned, the first phase of the meiosis (i.e. meiosis I) results in the reduction of chromosome number, thus it is called the reductional deivision.The second phase of meiosis (i.e. Meiosis II - is most similar ot the mitosis) does not undergo any reduction in chromosome number. Thus, it is called the equational division.
Now come to the second question why it is called the basis of evolution. The crossing over in the Prophase I of meiosis brings about the changes in the genome. These changes in the genome are inherit by the offspring which leads to variations in traits. These variation in traits are the basis of evolution.
Hope the answer is clear to you now.
Cheers!!!
