Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 40m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 20m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 52m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 57m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

12. Meiosis

Genetic Variation During Meiosis

General Biology

12. Meiosis

Genetic Variation During Meiosis

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2:13 minutes

Problem 9`

Textbook Question

Meiosis results in independent assortment of maternal and paternal chromosomes. If 2n=6 for a given organism, and there is no crossing over, what is the chance that a gamete produced by this diploid organism will receive only paternal chromosomes?
a. 0
b. 1/16
c. 1/8
d. 1/3

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that meiosis involves the separation of homologous chromosomes into gametes, resulting in independent assortment. This means each gamete receives a random mix of maternal and paternal chromosomes.

Identify that the diploid number (2n) is 6, meaning there are 3 pairs of homologous chromosomes (n=3). Each pair consists of one maternal and one paternal chromosome.

Recognize that for a gamete to receive only paternal chromosomes, it must receive the paternal chromosome from each of the 3 pairs.

Calculate the probability of receiving the paternal chromosome from one pair, which is 1/2, since there are two equally likely outcomes (maternal or paternal).

Determine the overall probability by multiplying the probabilities for each pair: \( \left( \frac{1}{2} \right)^3 \). This represents the chance of receiving paternal chromosomes from all three pairs.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Meiosis

Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically distinct gametes. It consists of two stages: meiosis I and meiosis II. Meiosis I is where homologous chromosomes are separated, leading to independent assortment, which is crucial for genetic diversity.

Independent Assortment

Independent assortment refers to the random distribution of maternal and paternal chromosomes into gametes during meiosis. This occurs during metaphase I when homologous chromosome pairs align independently at the cell's equator, allowing for various combinations of chromosomes in the resulting gametes.

Probability in Genetics

Probability in genetics involves calculating the likelihood of specific genetic outcomes. For a diploid organism with 2n=6, there are three pairs of homologous chromosomes. Without crossing over, each pair can independently assort into gametes, leading to 2^3 (or 8) possible combinations. The chance of a gamete receiving only paternal chromosomes is 1/8.