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AP® Biology · Unit 5 · Topic 5.1

Meiosis: Topic Checklist (Biology 5.1)

Specific “I can…” statements for meiosis, each linked to the guide section and practice question that shows whether you can really do it.

Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.

Understanding

  • I can explain why diploid organisms that reproduce sexually need meiosis, and how fertilization restores the diploid number. (Guide: “Why sexual reproduction needs a halving division”)
  • I can define chromosome, sister chromatid, homologous chromosome, haploid and diploid, and tell homologues apart from sister chromatids. (Guide: “The vocabulary you need first”; Practice Q3)
  • I can describe what happens to the chromosomes, spindle and nuclear envelope in prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I and telophase I. (Guide: “Meiosis I”; Practice Q1)
  • I can describe what happens in prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II and telophase II, including what holds sister chromatids together until anaphase II. (Guide: “Meiosis II”; Practice Q7)
  • I can explain why the cells at the end of meiosis I are already haploid even though their chromosomes still have two chromatids. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q2)

Calculation and skills

  • I can state the number of cells, chromosomes, chromatids and relative DNA content at any stage of meiosis for a given 2n. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q2)
  • I can read a DNA-content graph or table and link each change to S phase, cytokinesis I or cytokinesis II. (Guide: Figure 2; Practice Q5)
  • I can calculate percentages from counts of cells in different classes. (Practice Q5)
  • I can identify mitosis, meiosis I or meiosis II in a diagram from pairing, chromosome number and chromatid number. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q4)

Reasoning

  • I can give similarities and differences between the processes and outcomes of mitosis and meiosis. (Guide: “Mitosis and meiosis compared”; Practice Q6)
  • I can predict what happens if a step of meiosis, such as the separation of sister chromatids, is blocked. (Practice Q7)
  • I can explain why the four products of meiosis are not identical to the parent cell. (Guide: “Mitosis and meiosis compared”)

All ticked? Move on to Topic 5.2, Meiosis and Genetic Diversity, or return to the course roadmap.

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