Meiosis Remodeled: Inclusion of New Parts to Poppit Bead Models Enhances Understanding of Meiosis

A long-standing tradition uses strings of poppit beads different colors to model meiosis, especially show how segments paired homologous chromosomes are recombined. Our use orthodontic latex bands cohesion sister chromatids, and plastic coffee stirrers as microtubules, extends what can normally be achieved with ‘standard’ commercial kits beads, so emphasizing the importance four key elements meiosis: (a) role chromosome replication before meiosis itself begins; (b) pairing exchange (chiasma formation) during I; (c) centromere (kinetochore) attachment orientation within/on spindle I II; (d) differential loss arm at onset anaphase II. These essential that students best need visualize, not just read think about. Bead modeling leads them in direction, our gallery figures accompanying text show. Primary image: Unassembled components ‘PoppitMeiosis’ – a bead exercise aimed student learning meiosis. Beads snapped together bivalent (on right side), double-stick tape (top) representing synaptonemal complex, rings, microtubule bundles connect centromeres poles.