Gamete Formation

Genetics
 Human Gamete Formation
Gametes are the sperm and egg
Both haploid (n), meaning they have only
one of each type of chromosome
Produced through a special cell division
called meiosis
Somatic cells are diploid (2n) with 46
chromosomes; gametes have 23
Flowering Plant Gamete Production
Ovule: a compartment
inside the ovary where
female gametes are
produced
Anther: where male
gametes (pollen
grains) are produced
Gametes are always
haploid; the zygote is
always diploid
Gamete Formation
 Meiosis
Two divisions: goes
through prophase,
metaphase, anaphase, and
telophase twice
In Meiosis I the pairs of
chromosomes (and their
copies) separate in
anaphase
In Meiosis II, the
individual chromatids
separate
Mitosis vs Meiosis
 Gamete Formation
Spermatogenesis
begins with a germ
cell called a
spermatogonium
Two divisions follow
(meiosis I and II)
End result is four
haploid sperm
 Spermatogenesis
Sperm formation
passes through these
cell stages:
Spermatogonium
Primary spermatocyte
Secondary
spermatocyte
Spermatid
Mature sperm
 Oogenesis
Oogenesis begins with
a diploid cell called a
oogonium
Two divisions follow
(meiosis I and II)
Result is 3 polar
bodies and 1 mature
ovum (egg)
Oogenesis
 Oogenesis
Ovum formation
passes through the
following cells stages:
Oogonium
Primary oocyte
Secondary oocyte
Ovum
 Oogenesis
At birth, a female has
all the primary oocytes
already formed
Frozen in prophase I
After puberty, meiosis
continues with 1 or 2
oocytes each month
Only complete meiosis
if fertilized
4 Sperm; 1 Ovum
Variety: arrangement and
crossing over
Fertilization
 Twinning
Dizygotic: two eggs
and two sperm
No more closely
related than any
siblings
Fraternal
Twinning

Monozygotic: one egg

and sperm
The embryo separates
at an early stage and
each continues normal
development
Genetically identical
 Twinning
Conjoined twins: a
monozygotic pair that
does not separate all
the way
May or may not share
vital organs
Most often, if
separated, one lives
and the other dies
 Aging

Genes control cell division and apoptosis,

so aging is somewhat genetically regulated
By about age 30, the body begins to decline
Genes control aging both passively
(structures break down, cells are not
replaced) and actively (causing new
activities)
 Aging

The disease progeria

can give clues as to
what causes aging
In one type, the gene
for helicase is altered.
Helicase unzips the
DNA for repair and
replication. This
enzyme is missing in
progeria
Aging
Aging
 Aging
Environment
influences aging as
well as genes
Americas oldest
person is 113, and is
the second oldest
person in the world