By: Anna Watkins, Abbey Swan, Jacob Atkins, Kathrine Madison 1 st period Genetics Meiosis Overview Meiosis is the uniting of male and female gametes through sexual reproduction. Each gamete begins with pairs of 23 chromosomes and after combination each has 46. Interphase Interphase is the stage of a cell in which a cell spends most of its life. During this stage the cell performs most of its main function and prepares for cell division. Prophase I In this stage of meiosis the chromosomes come together in pairs. Metaphase I During this stage of meiosis the pairs of chromosomes, or bivalents, line up along the equator of the cell. Anaphase I During anaphase the pairs separate and move to the poles of the cells. Telophase I At this stage the cell divides creating two daughter cells. Prophase II During prophase II the daughter cells again replicate to create pairs. Metaphase II During metaphase II the bivalents in the daughter cells line up along the equator of their respective cells. Anaphase II At this stage the bivalents in each daughter cell separate and move to the poles of their cells. Telophase II At this point the two daughter cells split apart. This leaves four complete daughter cells with a complete set of chromosomes. Cytokinesis It is division of the cytoplasm of a cell following the division of the nucleus. So, at the end of meiosis there are four new daughter cells. Cycle of Meiosis