◉ 3D Meiosis Lab

Mission: create four unique gametes

Follow one diploid cell through two divisions. Watch homologs separate first, sister chromatids second, and compare the four genetically different haploid products.
Pair
Recombine
Divide I
Divide II
MaternalPaternalRecombinedCentromereSpindle pole
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Meiosis conditions

1
1cells
2nploidy
2genetic patterns

Chromosome outcome

Blue: cells · Purple: chromosome sets · Green: diversity

Tracked object

No object selected
TipTap a chromosome, spindle pole, cell, or crossover

Camera

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Teacher tools

Teacher-guided cinematic lecture

1×
Ready0%
What to watch: every narrated chromosome event is animated and highlighted.
Choose a language and voice, then begin. The camera, cell stage, and highlighted structures will synchronize automatically.
Ready. Narration will not start automatically.

Chapters

Learning objectives

  • Explain why meiosis produces four haploid cells.
  • Distinguish homologous chromosomes from sister chromatids.
  • Compare chromosome separation in meiosis I and meiosis II.
  • Explain crossing over and independent assortment.
  • Predict consequences of nondisjunction.

Key concepts

One replication, two divisions

DNA is copied before meiosis I but not again before meiosis II.

Reduction division

Homologous pairs separate in meiosis I, reducing chromosome sets from diploid to haploid.

Chromatid separation

Sister chromatids separate in meiosis II, similar to mitosis.

Genetic diversity

Crossing over and independent assortment generate new allele combinations.

Scientific model

The simulation uses two simplified homologous chromosome pairs. Chromosome replication, synapsis, crossing over, independent assortment, homolog separation, chromatid separation, haploid products, and nondisjunction follow established biology. Spatial scale and timing are educationally compressed.

Suggested experiments

  • Turn crossing over off and compare the four products.
  • Replay metaphase I with random assortment enabled.
  • Trigger nondisjunction in meiosis I, then in meiosis II.
  • Track one maternal chromosome through both divisions.

Common misconceptions

  • Homologs separate in meiosis I; sister chromatids usually remain together until meiosis II.
  • DNA is not replicated between meiosis I and meiosis II.
  • Crossing over occurs between nonsister chromatids of homologous chromosomes.
  • Meiosis produces genetic variation; it does not make four identical cells.
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