Meiosis II: Separating Sister Chromatids and Forming Gametes

Biology Grades High School 10:57 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the four phases of meiosis II (prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II, telophase II) and how sister chromatids are separated to create haploid gametes, mirroring the stages of mitosis.

Video Resource

Phases of meiosis II | Cells | MCAT | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 10:57
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Key Concepts

  • Prophase II: Nuclear envelope dissolves, chromosomes condense, centrosomes replicate and migrate.
  • Metaphase II: Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, microtubules attach to kinetochores.
  • Anaphase II: Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles, becoming daughter chromosomes.
  • Telophase II: Nuclear envelopes reform, chromosomes decondense, cytokinesis occurs, resulting in four haploid gametes.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to describe the events that occur during each phase of meiosis II.
  • Students will be able to compare and contrast meiosis II with mitosis.
  • Students will be able to explain the importance of meiosis II in the formation of gametes.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by briefly reviewing the key events of meiosis I, emphasizing the resulting two haploid cells, and introduce that Meiosis II is very similar to mitosis and we will walk through those steps.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video 'Phases of meiosis II | Cells | MCAT | Khan Academy.' Encourage students to take notes on the key events of each phase.
  • Phase-by-Phase Breakdown (15 mins)
    Discuss each phase of meiosis II in detail, using diagrams or models to illustrate the movement of chromosomes and the formation of gametes. Emphasize the similarities between meiosis II and mitosis. Clarify any misconceptions from the video.
  • Comparison Activity (10 mins)
    Lead a class discussion comparing and contrasting meiosis II with mitosis. Focus on the purpose, process, and end results of each type of cell division.
  • Conclusion (5 mins)
    Summarize the key takeaways from the lesson, reinforcing the importance of meiosis II in sexual reproduction and genetic diversity. Preview the next steps in genetics.

Interactive Exercises

  • Chromosome Modeling
    Students use pipe cleaners or other materials to model the movement of chromosomes during each phase of meiosis II.

Discussion Questions

  • How is meiosis II similar to mitosis?
  • What would happen if sister chromatids failed to separate during anaphase II?
  • Why is it important that gametes are haploid?

Skills Developed

  • Visualisation
  • Critical thinking
  • Comparison
  • Note Taking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is the first phase of meiosis II?

Correct Answer: Prophase II

Question 2:

During which phase of meiosis II do sister chromatids separate?

Correct Answer: Anaphase II

Question 3:

What structure do microtubules attach to during metaphase II?

Correct Answer: Kinetochore

Question 4:

How many cells are produced at the end of meiosis II?

Correct Answer: Four

Question 5:

Are the daughter cells at the end of Meiosis II diploid or haploid?

Correct Answer: Haploid

Question 6:

Which of the following events occurs during telophase II?

Correct Answer: Nuclear envelope reforms

Question 7:

Which of the following is not a phase of Meiosis II

Correct Answer: Anaphase I

Question 8:

What is the purpose of meiosis II?

Correct Answer: To separate sister chromatids

Question 9:

What is the name of the cell that can exist between Meiosis I and Meiosis II?

Correct Answer: Interphase II

Question 10:

The end product of meiosis II is:

Correct Answer: Four haploid cells

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The phase before prophase II where there can be a rest period is called ______.

Correct Answer: interphase II

Question 2:

In _________ II, the nuclear envelope dissolves again and the chromosomes condense.

Correct Answer: prophase

Question 3:

During metaphase II, chromosomes line up along the ________ plate.

Correct Answer: metaphase

Question 4:

Sister chromatids are attached at the _________.

Correct Answer: centromere

Question 5:

The separation of sister chromatids occurs during __________ II.

Correct Answer: anaphase

Question 6:

The microtubules attach to the chromosomes at the __________.

Correct Answer: kinetochores

Question 7:

__________ is the process where the cell divides into two.

Correct Answer: cytokinesis

Question 8:

Meiosis II results in the formation of __________ gametes.

Correct Answer: four

Question 9:

Each gamete formed during meiosis II contains a __________ number of chromosomes.

Correct Answer: haploid

Question 10:

Meiosis II is similar to _______ because it preserves the number of chromosomes.

Correct Answer: mitosis

Educational Standards

B.LS1.4:Use a model to illustrate the role of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms. B.LS3.1:Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring. B.LS3.2:Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from: (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis, (2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.

Teaching Materials

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