meiocyte
Pre-gamete dividing cell
A meiocyte is a cell that undergoes meiosis—the type of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells) with half the normal chromosome count.
In animals, meiocytes are found in reproductive tissues; in plants, they occur in structures that will produce pollen or ovules.
The term is primarily used in genetics and developmental biology.
Single chromosome complement
- diploidTwo complete chromosome sets
- homologousHaving shared evolutionary origin
- centromereChromosome's spindle attachment site
- chromatinNuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
First mitotic stage
- metaphaseChromosomal equator formation stage
- anaphaseChromatid separation stage
- telophaseFinal mitotic stage
- cytokinesisCytoplasmic division after mitosis
synapsis · tetrad · chiasma · recombination · homologous · bivalent · spindle · equational
Female reproductive cell development
- spermatogenesisMale gamete formation
- oocyteUndeveloped female gamete
- gonadGamete-producing organ
- ovaryFemale reproductive gland
testis · gametophyte · megasporocyte · follicle · maturation · differentiation
haploid
Single chromosome complement
- diploidTwo complete chromosome sets
- homologousHaving shared evolutionary origin
- centromereChromosome's spindle attachment site
prophase
First mitotic stage
- metaphaseChromosomal equator formation stage
- anaphaseChromatid separation stage
- telophaseFinal mitotic stage
cytokinesis · synapsis · tetrad · chiasma · recombination · homologous · bivalent · spindle · equational · segregation
oogenesis
Female reproductive cell development
- spermatogenesisMale gamete formation
- oocyteUndeveloped female gamete
- gonadGamete-producing organ
ovary · testis · gametophyte · megasporocyte · follicle · maturation · differentiation
gamete
Haploid reproductive cell