Unit 3: Cell Cycle 

 
Lesson 3.3 
Stages of Meiosis 
 
Contents 
Introduction 1 

Learning Objectives 2 

Warm Up 2 

Learn about It! 4 

Meiosis and Its Function 4 
The Stages of Meiosis - Meiosis I 6 
Prophase I 7 
Prometaphase I 8 
Metaphase I 8 
Anaphase I 9 
Telophase I and Cytokinesis 9 
The Stages of Meiosis - Meiosis II 10 
Prophase II and Prometaphase II 10 
Metaphase II 10 
Anaphase II, Telophase II, and Cytokinesis 11 
Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis 12 
Stages and Unique Events 13 
Genetic Material and Daughter Cells 14 
Differences between Meiosis I and Meiosis II 15 
Importance of Crossing over during Meiosis 15 
Changes in the Number of Chromosomes during Meiosis 15 

Key Points 17 

Check Your Understanding 18 

Challenge Yourself 19 

Photo Credit 20 

Bibliography 20 
 

 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 

Lesson 3.3 

Stages of Meiosis 

 
 

  Introduction 
Sheep  that  belong  to  the  genus  Ovis  have  54  chromosomes.  Just  as  previously  discussed, 
this  total  number  of  chromosomes  in  a  species  represents  two  complete  sets  that  are 
present in almost all body cells. Humans, likewise, have two complete sets with a total of 46 
chromosomes.  The  primary  mechanism  of  organisms  to  reproduce  is  through  sexual 
means,  and  this  process  involves  two  parents.  Have  you  ever  wondered  how  the  two 
parents  involved  in  sexual  reproduction  are  able  to  pass  their  chromosomes  to  their 
offspring  while  still  maintaining  the  normal  number  of  chromosomes  for  their  species? 
Before  each  parent  is  able  to  contribute  their  genetic  material  to  their  offspring  during 
sexual  reproduction,  some  preparatory  steps  are  essential.  In  particular,  the  organisms 
need  to  produce  the  cells  necessary  for  this  type  of  reproduction  to  occur.  This lesson will 
tackle  how  organisms  use  a  process  known  as  meiosis  for  producing  the  cells  that  they 
need for reproduction. 
 
 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   1 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
 
 

Learning Objectives  DepEd Competencies 

 
In this lesson, you should be able to do the 
● Describe the stages of meiosis 
following:   given 2n=6 
● Describe specific events that occur in  (STEM_BIO11/12-Id-f-7). 

each stage of meiosis.  ● Discuss crossing over and 

recombination in meiosis 
● Determine the importance of crossing 
(STEM_BIO11/12-Id-f-8). 
over and recombination in meiosis.     
● Identify the amount of genetic material in   

the stages of meiosis. 

● Determine the differences between 
mitosis and meiosis. 

  Warm Up       

  Classroom Meiosis    15 minutes 

Like  mitosis,  meiosis  also  follows  a  specific  sequence  so  that  the  process  proceeds  in  a 
smooth and proper manner. This activity will allow you to visualize the steps of meiosis. 
 

Materials 
● stickers/name tags with numbers 

 
Procedure 
1. Push all desks to the sides of the classroom. 
2. You, as a class, will follow specific instructions per phase of meiotic.  
3. Assign the following roles to your classmates. 
a. Assign one classmate to call out the steps of meiosis out loud.  
b. Assign four classmates to be the centrosomes. 
c. Make sure that there is an even number of remaining students.  
4. Distribute yourselves evenly around the classroom afterward. 

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   2 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
5. Give each of your remaining classmates a sticker/name tag with a number. There 
should be four of each number present. (Example: there should be four of #1, four of 
#2, and so on.) 
6. Begin with prophase I of meiosis I. The assigned student must call out the next step 
after the class has followed the instructions for each step. The following are the steps 
of meiosis I with their corresponding processes. 
a. Prophase I and prometaphase I.  
i. The students with the name tags/stickers must find the other student 
that has the same number that they have. These represent the tetrads. 
ii. Let the students who are assigned to centrosomes move to opposite 
sides of the classroom, with one student on each end. 
b. Metaphase I: Let the tetrads organize themselves in the middle of the 
classroom.  
c. Anaphase I: Each of the tetrads must split into two, with two pairs each. Let 
the centrosomes pull the students after the split to their respective and 
opposite ends of the classroom. 
d. Telophase I: Dissolve the lines but make sure to stay on your respective 
halves of the classroom. Have the student calling out the names of the phases 
move in the middle of the classroom (in between the two opposing halves) 
with arms spread out. This represents the formation of two new nuclei. These 
are now two separate groups, each representing a different cell. 
7. Each group must do this on their own half of the room. You may now proceed with 
meiosis II as follows. 
a. Prophase II and prometaphase II: Let two students assigned to be 
centrosomes move to the opposite sides of each group’s area.  
b. Metaphase II: Each pair (from the tetrad) must move to the middle of their 
area. 
c. Anaphase II: Each member of the pairs must be segregated and will be 
guided away from the middle to the opposite ends of the room by the 
centrosomes. 
d. Telophase II: Let the groups split themselves further into two to show that 
two more daughter cells have been created. 
8. Fill out Table 3.3.1. about how meiosis I and II are different from each other. 

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   3 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
Observation Table 
Table 3.3.1. Description and comparison of meiosis I and II in the Warm Up activity 

Step  Meiosis I  Meiosis II 

Prophase     

Metaphase      

Anaphase     

Telophase      

General mechanism     

 
Guide Questions 
1. How many daughter cells are produced in meiosis as compared to mitosis? 
2. What are segregated in meiosis I and meiosis II? 
3. In terms of genetic material present, how are mitosis and meiosis different from 
each other? 
 

  Learn about It! 

Meiosis and Its Function 
Recall  that  somatic  cells  undergo  the 
process  of  mitosis  in  order  for  them  to 
divide.  A  very  similar  process,  known  as 
meiosis,  is  the  equivalent  of  mitosis  to 
produce  gametes  or  sex  cells.  In  the 
process  of  sexual  reproduction,  a  sex  cell 
from  a  male  (usually  the  sperm) and the sex 
cell  from  a  female  (usually  the  egg  cell)  will 
fuse  together  through  fertilization  (as 
shown  Fig.  3.3.1).  Fertilization  restores  the 
normal chromosome number of the species.  

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   4 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
It  will  also  lead  to  the  formation  of  a  single  cell  called  a  zygote  which  will  keep  dividing 
through  mitosis  and  differentiating  until  it  becomes  an  embryo.  This  embryo  then  will 
further develop to become a mature organism. 
 
If  both  sperm  and  egg  have  a  full  set  of  chromosomes,  then  the  resulting  zygote  will  have 
double  the  amount  of  chromosomes.  This  abnormal  double  amount  of  chromosomes  will 
eventually  be  passed  on  once  the  zygote  divides  through  mitosis  and  copied  into  the 
daughter  cells.  This  can  prove  to  be  lethal  or  disastrous  for  the  organism.  To  prevent  this 
from  happening,  the  sex  cells  or  gametes  of  diploid  organisms  are  usually  haploid  (as 
shown  in  Fig.  3.3.2).  For  example,  a  human  normally  has  46  chromosomes, but each of the 
sperm and egg cells only has 23. 
 

 
Fig. 3.3.2. The normal chromosome number for most organisms is diploid, and this number 
is reduced to haploid which is one set in gametes.  
 
The  reduction  of  46  chromosomes  into  23  chromosomes  in  sex  cells  is  possible 
through  the  process  of  meiosis.  Only  sex  cells  undergo  meiosis,  as  opposed  to  the 
process  of  mitosis  that  somatic  cells  go  through.  Many  of  the  processes  that  occur  in 
meiosis are very similar to the processes in the stages of mitosis.  
 

How does the reduction of the chromosome 

number occur in meiosis and why is this process 
 
important? 
 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   5 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
The Stages of Meiosis - Meiosis I 
Meiosis  can  be  divided  into  two  major  phases,  namely,  Meiosis  I  and  Meiosis  II  (as  shown 
in  Fig.  3.3.3).  When  interphase  ends,  the  diploid  precursor  cell  enters  meiosis  I.  Once  the 
meiosis  I  is  complete,  the  cell  will  then  enter  meiosis  II.  Recall  that  the  phases  of  mitosis 
include  prophase,  prometaphase,  metaphase,  anaphase,  and  telophase.  These  phases  are 
also present in each of the two rounds of meiosis II. 
 

 
Fig. 3.3.3. Meiosis involves two rounds of cytokinesis which will ultimately produce four 
daughter cells with a reduced chromosome number. 
 
During  interphase,  a  cell  will  duplicate  its  genetic  material  during  the  S  phase.  Once  all  the 
necessary  checkpoints have been satisfied, then the cell that is destined to produce sex cells 
will enter meiosis I. The cell that enters meiosis I will have the diploid chromosome number, 
with  two  sister  chromatids  per  chromosome.  This  cell  will  eventually  go  through  the 
different  phases  of  meiosis  I,  namely,  prophase I, prometaphase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, 
and telophase I. 
 
 

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   6 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 

 
Events in Meiosis I 
 
Prophase I 
Similar  to  the  prophase  in  mitosis,  the  genetic  material  (equivalent  to  two  chromosomes 
with  two  sister  chromatids  each)  will  start  to  condense.  However,  unlike  mitosis,  a  process 
called  synapsis  (shown  in  Fig.  3.3.4.)  also  occurs  in  prophase  I.  Synapsis  is  when  each 
homologous  chromosome  pairs  up  and  aligns  from  side  to  side.  Each  pair  of  the 
homologous  chromosomes  is  known  as  a  tetrad  (referring  to  the  four  individual  copies 
present in each complex).  
 
Once  the  chromosomes  are  fully  paired with their homologs into the tetrads, the process of 
crossing  over  will  then  occur.  Crossing  over  is  when  the  homologous  chromosomes 
exchange  their  segments  with  each  other,  and  this  happens  in  the  chiasma  (plural 
chiasmata).  During  this  event,  the  non-sister  chromatids  of  homologous  chromosome 
exchange  segments.  Recombination  is  the  process  wherein  new  DNA  molecules  are 
produced  from  two  DNA  molecules  or  from  different  segments  of  the  same  parent  DNA 
molecule.  In  the  case  of  meiosis  in  sexually  reproducing  organisms,  recombination  is 
achieved  through  chromosomal  crossing  over.  If  the  segments  are  exchanged,  then  the 
result  will  be  chromosomes  with  new  combinations  of  genes  that  contribute  to  genetic 
diversity or the diversity of traits.  

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   7 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 

 
Fig. 3.3.4. In diploid organisms such as humans, the synapsis that takes place before 
crossing over is characterized by the formation of tetrads. 
 
Prometaphase I 
The  events  of  prometaphase  I  are  very  similar  to  the  ones  in  the  prometaphase  of  mitosis. 
The  nuclear  envelope will also disintegrate and the formation of the meiotic spindle will also 
occur.  Recall  that  this  process  will  help  guide  the  chromosomes  for  migration later on. One 
major  difference  is  that  the  meiotic  spindle in meiosis I will guide entire tetrads and not just 
individual chromosomes. 
 
Metaphase I 
The  alignment  of  tetrads  in  the  middle  of  the  cell  will  occur  in  metaphase  I.  Again,  this 
imaginary  plane  of  alignment  in  the  middle  of  the  cell,  as  shown  in  the  aggregation  site  of 
the fluorescent chromosomes in Fig. 3.3.5, is known as the metaphase plate.  
 

 
Fig. 3.3.5. The chromosomes in these photos are the fluorescent green parts. The photo on 
the left shows the metaphase plate where the chromosomes aggregate. 
 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   8 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
Anaphase I 
Once  the  tetrads  have  been  properly  aligned  in  the  metaphase  plate,  the  members  of  the 
homologous  chromosomes  will  be  separated  from  each  other  into  the  direction  of  the 
opposing  spindle  poles  of  the  cell.  This  process  leads  to  the  segregation  of  one 
homologous  pair  from  its  partner  homolog  in  the  tetrad.  The  result  of  the  migration  is 
then  a  haploid  set  of  chromosomes  that  migrate  to  each  pole  of  the  dividing  cell.  The 
dividing  cell  will  receive  either  the  paternal  or  maternal  member  of  the  homologous  pairs 
similar to the pair shown in Fig. 3.3.6. 
 

 
Fig. 3.3.6. A tetrad complex consists of each homologous chromosome from both parents. 
 
Telophase I and Cytokinesis 
In  telophase  I,  the  duplicated  chromosomes  finally fully reach the opposite poles of the cell. 
There  are  very  few  changes  that  occur  in  the  chromosomes  in  this  phase.  However,  the 
nuclear envelope may again form in some organisms, while it does not in others.  
 
After  telophase  I,  cytokinesis  occurs  which  results  in  two  daughter  cells.  Each  daughter  cell 
will have a set of haploid chromosomes. The cell then enters a stage called interkinesis. 
 

What will happen to the daughter cells if synapsis 

  and recombination do not occur? 
 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   9 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
The Stages of Meiosis - Meiosis II 
In interkinesis, the meiotic spindles from meiosis I will disassemble and then reassemble in 
preparation  for  meiosis  II.  Once  this  is  done  and  other  factors  are  fulfilled,  then  meiosis  II 
(as  summarized  in  Fig.  3.3.7)  can  begin.  Take  note  that  both  daughter  cells  from  meiosis  I 
can undergo meiosis II. Meiosis II is more similar to mitosis than meiosis I is. 
 

 
Fig. 3.3.7. The second meiotic division is generally similar to mitotic division because of its 
equational nature, i.e., there is no further reduction in chromosome number.   
 
Prophase II and Prometaphase II 
In  prophase  II,  the  genetic  material  will  again  start  to  condense  and the meiotic spindle will 
again begin to form. The nuclear envelope will again break down in prometaphase II.  
 
Metaphase II 
The  alignment  of  chromosomes  in  the  metaphase  plate  will occur in metaphase II with the 
help  of  the  meiotic  spindle.  Take  note  that  tetrads  align  in  metaphase  I,  but  since  these 
tetrads  have  been  segregated,  only  the  duplicated  chromosomes  will  align  in  metaphase II, 
forming only one row similar to mitosis. 
 

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   10 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
Anaphase II, Telophase II, and Cytokinesis 
In  anaphase  II  (as  shown  in  comparison  with  anaphase  I  in  Fig.  3.3.8.),  the  meiotic spindle 
will  start  to  separate  the  chromosomes  in  the  metaphase plate into their sister chromatids. 
These  chromatids,  which  are  now  considered  individual  chromosomes,  will  migrate  to  the 
opposite  poles  of  the  cell.  In  telophase  II, the nuclear envelope reforms, the chromosomes 
decondense, and the meiotic spindles disassemble into microtubules. 
 
After  cytokinesis,  each  cell  that  underwent  meiosis  II  will  have  formed  two  new  daughter 
cells.  Thus,  if  there  was  one  cell  that  underwent  meiosis  I,  this  cell  will  have  formed  two 
daughter  cells  by  the  beginning  of  meiosis  II.  Each  of  these  daughter  cells  would  have 
undergone meiosis II to form two daughter cells each, for a total of four daughter cells. 
 

 
Fig. 3.3.8. In anaphase I, the members of the homologous pairs of chromosomes segregate. 
In anaphase II, sister chromatids segregate into individual chromosomes. 
 
   

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   11 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis 
Mitosis  and  meiosis  have  key  differences  (as  summarized  in  Fig.  3.3.9.)  from  each  other. 
These  differences  lead  to  different  effects  and  applications  in  the  cells  that  undergo  their 
respective phases. 
 

 
Fig. 3.3.9. Mitosis and meiosis differ in various aspects such as the characteristics of 
resulting daughter cells, the number of divisions, and unique events.   
 
 
 
 

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   12 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 

Tips 
Do you still get the cells and cell division types mixed up? 
 
To  help  you  remember  which  is  which,  never  forget  the  mnemonic 
devices MiSo and MeGa.  
MiSo: Mitosis for Somatic Cells 
MeGa: Meiosis for Gametes 

 
Stages and Unique Events 
Mitosis occurs in somatic cells. These are the non-sex cells of the body. The stages of mitosis 
are prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. 
 
Meiosis  is  the  type  of  division  that  produces  sex  cells  or  gametes  (such  as  in Fig. 3.3.10.). It 
can  be  divided  into  two  general  stages,  namely,  meiosis  I  and  meiosis  II.  The  stages  of 
meiosis  I  include  prophase  I,  prometaphase  I,  metaphase  I,  anaphase  I,  and  telophase  I. 
Synapsis  and  the  crossing  over  of  the  chromosomes  only  occur  in  meiosis  I,  and  not  in 
mitosis  nor  meiosis  II.  Meiosis  II,  on  the  other  hand,  has different stages, namely, prophase 
II, prometaphase II, metaphase II, anaphase II, and telophase II. 
 

 
Fig. 3.3.10. Meiosis must be performed to allow the reduction of the chromosome number 
so that the normal chromosome number of the species can be restored during fertilization.  

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   13 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
Genetic Material and Daughter Cells 
Mitosis  results  in  two  daughter  cells  that  are  genetically  identical  to  the  parent  cell.  Thus, a 
cell  in  a  diploid  organism  will  produce  diploid  daughter  cells  after  mitosis. Cell division only 
occurs once in mitosis.  
 
Meiosis  results  in  two  daughter  cells  after  the  first  division  of  meiosis  I.  Each  of  these 
daughter  cells  will  further  divide  after  meiosis  II,  for  a  total  of  four  daughter  cells.  An 
example  is  given  for  the  case  of  humans  in  Fig.  3.3.11.  Recombination  occurs  in  meiosis 
which  results  in  each  daughter  cell  having  a  different  combination  of  genes  compared  to 
that of the parent cell.  
 

 
Fig. 3.3.11. Differences between human mitosis and meiosis in terms of the number of 
chromosomes of the daughter cells 
 

Remember 
Mitosis maintains an identical set of genetic material in the daughter 
cells,  whereas  meiosis  reduces  this  amount  and  introduces  new 
combinations. 
 
These have different consequences and applications as a result. 

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   14 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
Differences between Meiosis I and Meiosis II 
There  are  some  key  differences  between  meiosis  I  and  meiosis  II,  as  you  may  have noticed 
in the discussion above. Some of these differences are the following: 
● Synapsis  or  the  organization  of  the  chromosomes  into  complexes  of  tetrads  occurs 
only in meiosis I. 
● Crossing over between homologous pairs occurs only in meiosis I.  
● Tetrads  line  up  and  separate  into  individual  homologous  chromosomes  in  meiosis I. 
The  duplicated  chromosomes  (sister chromatids) line up and separate into individual 
chromosomes in meiosis II. 
 
Importance of Crossing over during Meiosis 
Crossing  over,  as  was  explained  earlier,  occurs  in  homologous  chromosomes  during 
prophase  I.  This  process  involves  the  exchange  of  segments  between  two  homologous 
chromosomes.  This  exchange  of  genetic  material  between the two chromosomes will result 
in  the  formation  of  new  gene  combinations  that  are  different  from  both  parents.  This  is 
especially  important since it creates genetic variation, in that the resulting daughter cells will 
have  different  genetic  content  from  the  parent  cell.  The use of these daughter cells later on 
in fertilization will further increase diversity. 
 
Changes in the Number of Chromosomes during Meiosis 
Meiosis  I  begins  with  each  chromosome  being  found  in  pairs,  each  having  two  sister 
chromatids.  Note  that  at  the  start  of  meiosis,  there  are  six  duplicated  chromosomes  or 
chromosomes  with  sister  chromatids,  the  diploid  number  of  which  is  given  by  2n=6.  This is 
the  chromosome  number  that will be reduced into haploid as meiosis progresses (as shown 
in Fig. 3.3.12.  
 
Meiosis  I  entails  the  separation  of  each  of  the  members  of  the  homologous  pairs  of 
chromosomes  after  they  have  paired  and  crossed  over.  After  meiosis  I,  the  starting  diploid 
chromosome  number  of  2n=6  is  reduced  into  n=3.  The  chromosome  number  is  already 
reduced  into  haploid,  however,  it  is  still  not  normal  for  cells  to  have  duplicated 
chromosomes  after  division,  and  in  this  case,  the  products  of  meiosis  I  are  two  haploid 
cells with three duplicated chromosomes (n=3).  

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   15 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
The  primary  goal  of  meiosis  II  is  to  separate  these  sister  chromatids  of  the  duplicated 
chromosome.  Both  of  the  resulting cells from meiosis I (with n=3) enter meiosis II. Note that 
in  the  second  meiotic  division,  there  is  no  further  reduction  in  chromosome  number.  Its 
only  purpose  is  to  separate  the  sister  chromatids,  similar  to  the  mechanism  of  mitotic 
division.  By  the  of  meiosis  II,  every  cell  gives  rise  to  two  more  cells  with  haploid 
chromosome  numbers  each  consisting  of  three  single  chromosomes  (n=3).  Note  the 
apparent difference between meiosis I and meiosis II in terms of the change in chromosome 
number.  Meiosis  I  is  a  reductional  division  because  you  start  with  2n=6  and  end  up  with 
n=3  cell.  By  contrast,  meiosis  II  is  an  equational  division  because  you  start  with  n=3  and 
end with the same chromosome number. 
 

 
Fig. 3.3.12. Meiosis I (reductional division) and meiosis II (equational division) ultimately aim 
to reduce the chromosome number of the cells of a species into haploid.   
 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   16 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 

Key Points 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 
● The  process  of  sexual  reproduction  requires  a  reduction  in  the  chromosome 
number.  This  is  achieved  through  meiosis,  the  type  of  cell  division  that  produces 
gametes or sex cells.   
● Unlike  mitosis,  meiosis  involves  two  rounds  of  divisions,  namely,  meiosis  I  and 
meiosis  II.  Meiosis  II  immediately  takes  place  after  meiosis  I,  so  only  the  latter  is 
preceded by the duplication of genetic material.  
● Aside  from  the  number  of  daughter  cells  produced,  meiosis  is  also  different  from 
mitosis in terms of its unique events.  
○ Synapsis  involves  the  pairing  of  the  members  of  homologous  chromosomes 
so as to allow them to undergo crossing over and to segregate them.  
○ Crossing  over  refers  to  the  exchange  of  segments  between  non-sister 
chromatids  of  homologous  chromosomes.  Ultimately,  this  enhances  the 
genetic diversity of species.  
● Meiosis  I  is  considered  the  reductional  division  in  meiosis  because  it  reduces  the 
number  of  sets  of  chromosomes  from  two  to  one.  Meiosis  II,  by  contrast,  is 
considered  the  equational  division  in meiosis because there is no further reduction 
of the chromosome number in daughter cells.  
● Meiosis  I  and  II  are  also  different  in  terms  of  the  segregating  elements.  Meiosis  I 
entails  the  separation  of  the  members  of  the  homologous  chromosomes,  whereas 
meiosis II involves the separation of the sister chromatids.  
 
 

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   17 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 

 
Meiotic division can be described according to the number of divisions, number of daughter 
cells, and the unique events that take place.  
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 

  Check Your Understanding 

 

A. Identify the term being described in each statement below.   

1. This  refers  to  the  pairs  of homologous chromosomes that organize into complexes 

during the synapsis meiosis I.  
2. This  event  refers  to  the  exchange  of  segments  of  the  homologous  chromosomes 
during meiosis I.  
3. This structure guides the chromosomes in migration during meiosis.  
 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   18 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 
4. This  is  the  area  in  the  middle  of  the  cell  where  chromosomes  align  before 
segregation.  
5. This is the phase where the spindle reforms in preparation for meiosis II.  
6. This is the total number of daughter cells produced after meiosis.  
7. These are the structures that segregate in meiosis I.  
8. These are the structures that segregate in meiosis II.  
9. This  is  the  process  wherein  the  sperm  fuses  with  the  egg  during  sexual 
reproduction.  
10. This is the single-celled product of #9.  
 

B. Fill  in  the  table  with  the  appropriate  information  regarding  the 
differences between mitosis and meiosis. 
 

Criteria  Mitosis  Meiosis 

What segregates during anaphase?     

Total number of daughter cells      

What cells undergo this process?     

Number of times cell division occurs     

Number of chromosomes in each     

daughter cell if 2n=6 
 

  Challenge Yourself 
 

Answer the following questions.  

1. If  a  cell  has  a  chromosome  number  of  2n=6,  how  many  chromatids  are  expected  to 
be present in prophase II cell? 
2. Why is the genetic material reduced in meiosis? 
3. How does meiosis contribute to genetic diversity? 
4. Why is tetrad formation important? 
5. How are meiosis I and meiosis II different in terms of segregation? 

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   19 
 
  
Unit 3: Cell Cycle 
 

  Photo Credit 
Metaphase_chromosomes.jpg  by  Simoncaulton,  is  licensed  under  CC  BY-SA  3.0  via 
Wikimedia Commons. 
 

  Bibliography 
Boyer, Rodney F. Concepts in Biochemistry. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2006. 
 
Hickman, Cleveland P. Integrated Principles of Zoology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2011. 
 
Miller, Stephen A., and John P. Harley. Zoology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 
 
Russell, Peter J. Biology: The Dynamic Science. Student Ed. Belmont, CA: 
Thomson/Brooks/Cole, 2008. 
 
Starr, Cecie, Ralph Taggart, Christine A. Evers, and Lisa Starr. Biology: the Unity and Diversity 
of Life. Boston, MA: Cengage, 2019. 
 

 
3.3. Stages of Meiosis   20