How do you know if Nondisjunction occurs in meiosis 1 or 2?
Also asked, is Nondisjunction more common in meiosis I or II?
Nondisjunction can occur either during meiosis I or meiosis II, but it is more common during meiosis I. If nondisjunction occurs, then the gametes will not contain the correct number of chromosomes; instead of a single copy, the gametes will either have two copies of a chromosome or no copies.
In respect to this, is Down syndrome caused by nondisjunction in meiosis 1 or 2?
Nondisjunction occurs when homologous chromosomes (meiosis I) or sister chromatids (meiosis II) fail to separate during meiosis. The most common trisomy is that of chromosome 21, which leads to Down syndrome.
The cause of nondisjunction is unknown. Nondisjunction seems to be a chance event. Nothing that a person does or doesn't do during their reproductive years can cause these chromosomal changes. We do know that nondisjunction occurs more frequently in the eggs of women as they get older.