Wiki Page, NGSS BIO B: Meiosis Vocabulary List-2

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2026-03-16T11:20:49-07:00

Chromosomes: Tightly coiled DNA. DNA only exists in this form when cells are dividing.

Gamete: Special sex cells also known as eggs and sperm in humans. These cells are haploid

Haploid: A cell containing half as many chromosomes as a regular (diploid) cell. These cells contain one copy of each pair of chromosomes (one 1st chromosome, 1, 2nd chromosome, etc)

Homologous: Pairs of chromosomes that are of the same length and code for the same traits (eye color, height, etc)

Chromatid: When a chromosome duplicates, a chromotid is one of the duplicates (aka half of the X shape that is formed)

Meiosis: The process of making haploid gamete cells. This process creates 4 genetically unique cells.

Crossing Over: The process where small segments on the chromotids of homologous chromosomes will swap places with each other. This leads to to each chromotid being genetically unique from one another.

Independent Assortment: When making gametes, chromosomes from mom and dad line up next to their homologous pair independent of the other pairs. Ex. pair 1 may have mom's chromosome on the left side, but that doesn't influence which chromosome will be on the left side (mom or dad) on pair 2

Allele: A variation of a gene. Ex: You may have the hair color gene, but the brown hair color allele