Meiosis I

1. Prophase I: This is the longest and most complex stage of meiosis I, and it is subdivided into five sub-stages:

>- Leptotene: Chromosomes become visible as long, thin threads.

>- Zygotene: Homologous chromosomes pair up to form bivalents.

>- Pachytene: Crossing-over occurs between homologous chromosomes, leading to genetic recombination.

>- Diplotene: Bivalents begin to separate, but remain connected at points called chiasmata.

>- Diakinesis: Bivalents become fully separated and move to the spindle poles.

2. Metaphase I: Bivalents line up in the center of the cell.

3. Anaphase I: Homologous chromosomes separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.

4. Telophase I: Two daughter cells are formed, each with a haploid number of chromosomes.

Meiosis II

1. Prophase II: Chromosomes become visible again and the spindle apparatus forms.

2. Metaphase II: Chromosomes line up in the center of the cell.

3. Anaphase II: Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.

4. Telophase II: Four daughter cells are formed, each with a haploid number of chromosomes.