Meiosis I:

1. Prophase I: This stage is subdivided into several substages: leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene,
and diakinesis. During leptotene, chromosomes begin to condense, becoming visible under a microscope.
In zygotene, homologous chromosomes pair up through synapsis, forming structures called tetrads. In
pachytene, crossing over occurs between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes, leading to
genetic recombination. Diplotene is characterized by the separation of homologous chromosomes but
remains connected at points of crossover, known as chiasmata. Finally, in diakinesis, the nuclear envelope
breaks down, and the spindle apparatus forms.
2. Prometaphase I: This stage is marked by the complete disintegration of the nuclear envelope, allowing
spindle fibers to access the chromosomes. Spindle fibers attach to the kinetochores located at the
centromeres of each chromosome.
3. Metaphase I: Homologous chromosome pairs align along the metaphase plate, with one chromosome
from each pair facing each pole. The orientation of each homologous pair is random, contributing to
genetic diversity in the resulting gametes.
4. Anaphase I: Homologous chromosomes are pulled apart toward opposite poles of the cell by the
shortening of spindle fibers. This separation ensures that each daughter cell receives only one member of
each homologous pair.
5. Telophase I: As the separated homologous chromosomes reach opposite poles, the spindle fibers
disassemble, and nuclear envelopes begin to form around each set of chromosomes. Cytokinesis, the
physical division of the cell, usually follows, resulting in two haploid daughter cells, each containing half
the number of chromosomes as the original cell but with genetic variation due to crossing over and
random assortment.
6. Cytokinesis I: The cytoplasm divides, and the cell membrane pinches inward, dividing the cell into two
distinct haploid daughter cells, each with a unique combination of genetic material.
Meiosis II:
7. Prophase II: Chromosomes, each consisting of two sister chromatids, condense again, and the nuclear
envelope breaks down if it reformed after telophase I. The centrosomes migrate to opposite poles, and
spindle fibers begin to form.
8. Metaphase II: The chromosomes align along the equatorial plane of each haploid daughter cell, with
sister chromatids facing opposite poles. Unlike metaphase I, where homologous chromosomes align, here,
individual chromosomes align.
9. Anaphase II: Sister chromatids are pulled apart toward opposite poles of the cell by the shortening of
spindle fibers.
10. Telophase II: Once the sister chromatids reach opposite poles, nuclear envelopes begin to reassemble
around each set of chromosomes. The spindle fibers disassemble, and chromosomes begin to decondense.
11. Cytokinesis II: The cytoplasm divides once again, and the cell membrane pinches inward, resulting in
the formation of four non-identical haploid daughter cells, each containing a unique combination of
genetic material. These daughter cells are gametes ready for fertilization, each genetically distinct from
the original parent cell and from each other.