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AP® Biology · Unit 5 · Topic 5.2

Meiosis and Genetic Diversity: Topic Checklist (Biology 5.2)

Specific “I can…” statements for meiosis and genetic diversity, 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 how correct separation in meiosis I and II gives every gamete one haploid set that mixes maternal and paternal chromosomes. (Guide: “Correct separation”)
  • I can describe crossing over: when it happens, which chromatids take part and what a chiasma is. (Guide: “Crossing over”, Figure 1; Practice Q1)
  • I can explain why crossing over makes new combinations of alleles but not new alleles, and why it makes sister chromatids differ. (Guide: “Crossing over”; Practice Q4)
  • I can explain independent assortment in terms of how homologous pairs line up at metaphase I. (Guide: Figure 2)
  • I can explain how random fertilization adds to variation as well as restoring the diploid number. (Guide: “Random fertilization”)

Calculation and skills

  • I can use 2ⁿ to find the number of chromosome combinations in gametes, and multiply for offspring of two parents. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q2, Q7)
  • I can calculate the probability that a gamete carries only maternal (or only paternal) chromosomes. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q7)
  • I can predict the chromosome numbers of gametes and zygotes after nondisjunction in meiosis I or meiosis II. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q3, Q6)
  • I can list the chromatids produced by a crossover at a given point and identify the recombinants. (Practice Q4)

Reasoning

  • I can pose a testable question from an observation or data set about meiosis or variation, and name the variables to test it. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q5)
  • I can explain why genetically varied offspring may survive changing conditions better than clones, and evaluate a claim with data. (Guide: “Why the four cells are not the same”; Practice Q5)
  • I can explain how DNA markers could show whether an extra chromosome came from an error in meiosis I or meiosis II. (Practice Q6)

All ticked? Move on to Topic 5.3, Mendelian Genetics, or return to the course roadmap.

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