Meiosis – 3.3

Genetics – (1SC0): Combined Science

In this course, Dr Matt Ivory (Cardiff University) takes us through genetics, including topics 3.3-3.6 & 3.21-3.23 in the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology (9-1) for Combined Science. We begin (i) with a focus on reproduction on a cellular level by describing meiosis (Topic 3.3); following this (ii) we enter the subcellular level and examining DNA, its structure and components (Topic 3.4); next (iii) we look at types of mutations and how they may impact an organisms phenotype (Topics 3.22, 3.23); we move on (iv) to look at the entire genome of an organism, define what a genome is and discuss the Human Genome Project and its application in further the world of medicine (Topics 3.5, 3.21); we finish up (v) the course with a classic experiment demonstrating how to extract DNA from fruit (Topic 3.6).

Meiosis – 3.3

In the first mini-lecture, we focus on how the process of meiosis allows sexual reproduction to occur. We point out the key differences between the two main types of cellular division, mitosis and meiosis, and how they result in different numbers of chromosomes in their daughter cells. Then we look at an overview of the steps involved in meiosis, including the doubling of DNA, and then both the first and second round of cell division.