tetrad

(noun)

two pairs of sister chromatids (a dyad pair) aligned in a certain way and often on the equatorial plane during the meiosis process

Related Terms

Examples of tetrad in the following topics:

  • Comparing Meiosis and Mitosis

    • Chiasmata develop and crossover occurs between homologous chromosomes, which then line up along the metaphase plate in tetrads with kinetochore fibers from opposite spindle poles attached to each kinetochore of a homolog in a tetrad.
    • When the tetrad is broken up and the homologous chromosomes move to opposite poles, the ploidy level is reduced from two to one.

  • Meiosis I

    • At the end of prophase I, the pairs are held together only at the chiasmata; they are called tetrads because the four sister chromatids of each pair of homologous chromosomes are now visible.
    • At the end of prometaphase I, each tetrad is attached to microtubules from both poles, with one homologous chromosome facing each pole.
    • During metaphase I, the tetrads move to the metaphase plate with kinetochores facing opposite poles.
    • In each cell that undergoes meiosis, the arrangement of the tetrads is different.