Germ cells undergo a process called meiosis, where they divide to produce cells with only one set of genes. This reduction in genetic material is essential for sexual reproduction, ensuring that the progeny receive a combination of genes from both parents.
How do germ cells generate a single set of genes from the usual two copies found in other body cells?
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Germ cells generate a single set of genes from the usual two copies found in other body cells through a specialized cell division process called meiosis. In meiosis, germ cells undergo two consecutive divisions, resulting in the production of four haploid cells, each with half the usual number of chromosomes. This reduction in chromosome number ensures that when the sperm (from the father) and egg (from the mother) fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number of chromosomes. This process ensures genetic diversity and the transmission of a unique combination of genes to the offspring.
Germ cells, crucial for sexual reproduction, achieve a single set of genes from the usual two copies in other body cells through the process of meiosis. Meiosis involves two consecutive divisions, resulting in the formation of gametes with half the chromosome number of the parent cell. During the initial division (Meiosis I), homologous chromosomes, one from each parent, segregate into different cells. Recombination or crossing over occurs, leading to genetic diversity. The subsequent division (Meiosis II) is akin to mitosis but involves the separation of sister chromatids, yielding four haploid cells with a single set of chromosomes. These haploid gametes—sperm and eggs—combine during fertilization to restore the diploid state in the zygote. This reduction in genetic material is essential for maintaining genetic diversity in offspring, providing variability for adaptation and evolution within populations. Meiosis ensures the continuity of sexual reproduction and the preservation of species-specific genetic characteristics.