Tetrads (Gr. Tetra - Four)

Tetrads (Gr. Tetra - Four)

Tetrads are bundles of four homologous chromosomes formed towards the end of the prophase of the 1st division of meiosis.

During the process of meiosis, reduction cell division occurs, as a result of which four haploid cells are formed from one diploid cell. At the prophase stage of the 1st division of meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair and exchange sections. After this, they remain linked together in bundles of four chromosomes - these bundles are called tetrads.

Tetrads are important for ensuring the correct segregation of homologous chromosomes during the first meiotic division. Thanks to tetrads, each daughter cell receives one chromosome from each pair of homologous chromosomes. Thus, tetrads play a key role in maintaining the correct number of chromosomes in germ cells.