Before meiosis I can began, interphase must first take place. As in mitosis, the cell grows during G1 phase, copies all of its chromosomes durinxg S phase, and prepares for division during G2 Phase.

After interphase, prophase I begins to take place. During this stage, the homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange fragments (the crossing over of the two chromosomes).

Next comes metaphase I. In this process, the homologue line up at the metaphase plate.

After metaphase I comes anaphase I. Here, the homologues separate to opposite ends of the cell and sister chromatids stay linked together.

Finally, during telophase I, the cell is ready to split and form two new haploid cells.

Thus, during meiosis I, we start with a diploid cell (46 chromosomes) and divide that into two haploid cells (23 chromosomes each). After meiosis I is complete, the process of meisosis II follows.

Meiosis II begins with prophase II. During this step the chromosomes made in the haploid cells from meiosis I condense.

Next, in metaphase II, chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate just like in meiosis I.

Following metaphase II, anaphase II begins and the sister chromatids separate to opposite ends of the cell.

Finally, the last stage of all of meiosis is telophase II. During this final phase, the cell divides and creates two haploid gametes (sex cells, either a sperm or egg cell).

Meiosis is now complete and we have gone from having a single diploid cell to having four haploid gamete cells.