Major Stages of Meiosis:

Meiosis is a specialized cell division process that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. It involves two rounds of division, known as meiosis I and meiosis II, resulting in the formation of four haploid daughter cells. Each of these daughter cells contains half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Meiosis I:

Prophase I: During prophase I, the chromatin condenses, and homologous chromosomes come together to form pairs known as tetrads. Crossing over occurs, where genetic material is exchanged between homologous chromosomes. The nuclear envelope breaks down, and spindle fibers start to form.

Chromosomes: Homologous chromosomes pair up, forming tetrads.
DNA content: DNA is duplicated during the previous interphase, so each chromosome contains two sister chromatids.
Ploidy: Diploid (2n).

Metaphase I: The tetrads align along the equatorial plane (the metaphase plate) of the cell. The spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes.

Chromosomes: Tetrads align at the metaphase plate.
DNA content: Each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids.
Ploidy: Diploid (2n).

Anaphase I: The homologous chromosomes separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell, pulled by the spindle fibers.

Chromosomes: Homologous chromosomes separate and move away from each other.
DNA content: Each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids.
Ploidy: Still diploid (2n).

Telophase I and Cytokinesis: The separated chromosomes reach the poles of the cell, and nuclear envelopes start to form around them. Cytokinesis then occurs, dividing the cell into two daughter cells.

Chromosomes: Chromosomes are at opposite poles of the cell.
DNA content: Each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids.
Ploidy: Haploid (n) since the homologous chromosomes have separated.

Meiosis II:

Prophase II: The nuclear envelope breaks down, and spindle fibers start to form again.

Chromosomes: Chromosomes condense.
DNA content: Each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids.
Ploidy: Haploid (n).

Metaphase II: The chromosomes align along the metaphase plate.

Chromosomes: Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate.
DNA content: Each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids.
Ploidy: Haploid (n).

Anaphase II: The sister chromatids separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell, pulled by the spindle fibers.

Chromosomes: Sister chromatids separate and move away from each other.
DNA content: Each chromosome now consists of a single chromatid (no longer duplicated).
Ploidy: Haploid (n).

Telophase II and Cytokinesis: The separated chromosomes reach the poles of the cell, and nuclear envelopes start to form around them. Cytokinesis then occurs, dividing the cell into two daughter cells.

Chromosomes: Chromosomes are at opposite poles of the cell.
DNA content: Each chromosome consists of a single chromatid.
Ploidy: Haploid (n).

At the end of meiosis II, four haploid daughter cells are formed, each containing a unique combination of genetic material. These cells can then develop into gametes (sperm or eggs) for sexual reproduction.