The significance of meiosis lies in[C.G. PMT2004]a)Maintaining constan...
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Significance of Meiosis
(a) Formation of gametes:Meiosis produces gametes that are essential for sexual reproduction.
(b) Maintenance of chromosome number : Meiosis maintains the chromosome number constant in sexually reproducing organisms. It is essential since the chromosome number is doubled after fertilization.
(c) Introduction of variation : Meiosis introduces variation in the organisms due to crossing over and random distribution of paternal and maternal chromosomes.
(d) Mutations: Chromosomal and genomatic mutations can take place by irregularities of meiotic divisions. Some of the mutations may be advantageous to the organism and are perpetuated by natural selection.
(e) Genetic information : It switches on genetic information for the development of gametes or gametophyte and switches off the sporophytic information.
(f) Evidence of basic relationship of organisms: Details of meiosis are essentially similar in the majority of organisms showing their basic similarities and relationship.
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The significance of meiosis lies in[C.G. PMT2004]a)Maintaining constan...
Significance of Meiosis:
Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. It involves the production of gametes, or sex cells, which have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cells. The significance of meiosis lies in:
Maintaining constancy in the number of chromosomes in an organism:
- Meiosis ensures that the number of chromosomes in a species remains constant from generation to generation.
- It prevents the doubling of chromosomes with each generation, which would lead to an unmanageable number of chromosomes.
Production of genetic variability in the population of species:
- Meiosis introduces genetic variability through the process of recombination, or crossing over, which occurs during prophase I.
- During recombination, maternal and paternal chromosomes exchange genetic material, creating new combinations of alleles on the chromosomes.
- This genetic variability is essential for the survival and adaptation of a species to changing environments.
- It allows for the generation of individuals with different traits, increasing the chances of a population to evolve and adapt.
Reduction of the diploid number of chromosomes to haploid:
- Meiosis reduces the number of chromosomes in a cell by half, from diploid (2n) to haploid (n).
- This is crucial for sexual reproduction because when gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote will have the correct number of chromosomes for the species.
- The diploid number is restored when the zygote undergoes mitosis to form a new organism.
All of the above:
- Meiosis encompasses all of the mentioned significances.
- It maintains chromosome number, produces genetic variability, and reduces the diploid number of chromosomes to haploid.
- These processes are fundamental for the continuation of a species and the generation of diversity among individuals.
In conclusion, the significance of meiosis lies in maintaining the constancy of chromosome number, producing genetic variability, and reducing the diploid number of chromosomes to haploid. These processes are vital for the survival, adaptation, and evolution of sexually reproducing organisms.