• Reduces the chromosome number by half in daughter cells.
• Called reduction division.
Prophase I
This is the longest and most complex phase, chromosomes condense and synapsis occurs. Crossing over may occur between non sister cells in the chiasmata. During crossing over segments of non sister cells may overlap, break and reattach to each other. This increases the variation of gametes produced.
Metaphae I
This is the shortest phase. Fibrous spindles from the centrosomes are attached to the tetrads on the Metaphase plate and independent assortment occurs.
Anaphase I
Homologous chromosomes separate and move towards the opposed poles and the sister chromosomes remain attached to their centromeres.
Telophase I
Each pole now has a haploid set of chromosomes, cytokinesis now occurs and two haploid daughter cells are formed.
What is common in meiosis II
• No Interphase
• No DNA replication
• Similar to mitosis
prophase II
• No crossing over
• No tetrads
Anaphase II
Occurs in two cells
Telophase II
• Same as Telophase in mitosis
• A nuclei is formed
• Cytokinesis occurs
• Four new set of haploid daughter cells ( gametes ) is produced
