MEIOSIS
“Meiosis is the type of
cell division that results
in four daughter cells,
each with half the
number of
chromosomes of the
What is Meiosis?
Meiosis is the process in which a single cell
divides twice to form four haploid daughter
cells. These cells are the gametes – sperms in
males and egg in females. The process of
meiosis is divided into 2 stages. Each stage is
subdivided into several phases.
Meiosis is a process where a single cell divides
twice to produce four cells containing half the
original amount of genetic information.
Meiosis can be divided into nine stages. These
are divided between the first time the cell
Meiosis I
Meiosis II
Interphase:
The DNA in the cell is copied
resulting in two identical full sets of
chromosomes.
Outside of the nucleus are two
centrosomes, each containing a pair
of centrioles; these structures are
critical for the process of cell
division.
Prophase I
Spindle fibres appear.
The copied chromosomes condense into X-shaped structures
that can be easily seen under a microscope.
Each chromosome is composed of two sister chromatids
containing identical genetic information.
The chromosomes pair up so that both copies of
chromosome 1 are together, both copies of chromosome 2
are together, and so on.
The pairs of chromosomes may then exchange bits of DNA in
a process called recombination or crossing over.
At the end of Prophase I the membrane around the nucleus
in the cell dissolves away, releasing the chromosomes.
The meiotic spindle, consisting of microtubules and other
proteins, extends across the cell between the centrioles.
Metaphase I
The homologous chromosomes align
at the equatorial plate ensuring
genetic diversity among offspring.
The centrioles are now at opposite
poles of the cell with the meiotic
spindles extending from them.
The meiotic spindle fibres attach to
one chromosome of each pair.
Anaphase I
The pair of chromosomes are then
pulled apart by the meiotic spindle,
which pulls one chromosome to one
pole of the cell and the other
chromosome to the opposite pole.
In meiosis I the sister chromatids stay
together. This is different to what
happens in mitosis and meiosis II.
Telophase I
Spindle fibres disappear.
The chromosomes complete their
move to the opposite poles of the
cell.
At each pole of the cell a full set of
chromosomes gather together.
A membrane forms around each
set of chromosomes to create two
Cytokinesis I
The cytoplasm and the cell division
result in 2 non-identical haploid
daughter cells.
The single cell then pinches in the
middle to form two separate daughter
cells each containing a full set of
chromosomes within a nucleus. This
process is known as cytokinesis.
Meiosis II Prophase II
The chromatin condenses into chromosomes.
Centrosomes migrate to either poles.
Now there are two daughter cells, each with 23
chromosomes (23 pairs of chromatids).
In each of the two daughter cells the
chromosomes condense again into visible X-
shaped structures that can be easily seen under
a microscope.
The membrane around the nucleus in each
daughter cell dissolves away releasing the
chromosomes.
Metaphase II
The chromosomes align along the
equatorial plate. On the contrary, the
chromosomes in metaphase I were in
homologous pairs.
In each of the two daughter cells the
chromosomes (pair of sister chromatids)
line up end-to-end along the equator of
the cell.
The centrioles are now at opposites poles
in each of the daughter cells.
Anaphase II
The sister chromatids are then pulled
to opposite poles due to the action of
the meiotic spindle.
The separated chromatids are now
individual chromosomes.
Telophase II
Nuclear envelope redevelops and the
spindle fibres disappear.
The chromosomes complete their
move to the opposite poles of the cell.
At each pole of the cell a full set of
chromosomes gather together.
A membrane forms around each set of
chromosomes to create two new cell
Cytokinesis II
The cytoplasm and cell divide producing 4
non-identical haploid daughter cells.
there are four granddaughter cells, each
with half a set of chromosomes (haploid):
in people with XY chromosomes, these
four cells are all sperm cells
in people with XX chromosomes, one of
the cells is an egg cell while the other
three are polar bodies (small cells that do
