Grade 12 Life Sciences
Exam School 2013
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MEIOSIS
Checklist
Make sure you know how to:
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Define Meiosis
State where meiosis takes place in plants and animals
Describe changes to the chromosomes during meiosis I and II
State the importance of meiosis
Explain the consequences of abnormal meiosis - Down Syndrome and Polyploidy
List the advantages of polyploidy in agriculture
Compare meiosis to mitosis
Questions
Question 1
(Adapted from Nov 2012, Paper 1, Question 1.1.6)
The diagrams below represent six different phases of meiosis taking place in a cell with four
chromosomes.
The correct sequence of the different phases in which the above-mentioned division takes place is …
A
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
B
6, 2, 5, 4, 1, 3
C
3, 5, 4, 2, 6, 1
D
3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 2
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Exam School 2013
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Question 2
(Adapted from Nov 2012, Paper 1, Question 2.1)
The diagram below shows crossing over in a pair of homologous chromosomes.
2.1
Identify the point X and part Z respectively.
(2)
2.2
Give ONE observable reason why the chromosomes above are regarded as homologous.
(1)
2.3
Give ONE reason why crossing over is important.
2.4
Name ONE other process occurring during meiosis that has the same importance as crossing
over.
(1)
2.5
If a mouse egg cell contains 20 chromosomes, how many chromosomes will there be in its
skin cell?
(1)
[6]
(1)
Question 3
(Adapted from Feb/Mar 2013, Paper 1, Question 2.4)
Study the diagrams below representing various phases of meiosis in an organism.
3.1
Which diagram (A, B or C) represents meiosis I?
(1)
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3.2
3.3
Suggest why the chromosomes in diagram B will be genetically different from that of the
parent cell at the beginning of meiosis.
(1)
How many chromosomes will each daughter cell have at the end of this cell division?
(1)
3.4
Give TWO reasons why this type of cell division is important.
(2)
[5]
Question 4
(Adapted from Nov 2012, Version 2, Paper 1, Question 2.1)
Study the diagram below showing a process during meiosis.
4.1
Label structures A, B, C and D.
(4)
4.2
Which process is illustrated in the diagram?
(1)
4.3
During which phase of meiosis does the process named in QUESTION 4.2 take place?
(1)
4.4
What is the benefit of the process named in QUESTION 4.2?
(1)
4.5
Name and describe ONE other way in which meiosis is able to produce the same benefit as
the one named in QUESTION 4.4.
(3)
4.6
Tabulate THREE differences between meiosis I and meiosis II.
(7)
[17]
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Grade 12 Life Sciences
Exam School 2013
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Question 5
(Adapted from Feb/Mar 2013, Version 2, Paper 1, Question 2.1)
The diagram below represents an animal cell in a phase of meiosis.
5.1
Identify the parts labelled A and B.
(2)
5.2
State whether the phase of meiosis shown above is a part of Meiosis I or Meiosis II.
(1)
5.3
Give ONE visible reason for your answer to QUESTION 5.2.
(1)
5.4
Answer the following questions:
a.)
Could the cell represented in the diagram be that of a human?
b.)
Explain your answer to QUESTION 5.5.
(1)
(1)
5.5
How many chromosomes are present in the cell above?
(1)
5.6
How many chromosomes will be present in each cell at the end of meiosis?
(2)
Question 6
Describe the changes that occur to the chromosomes during meiosis I and II and compare meiosis to
mitosis.
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