Meiosis Phases

Meiosis (adjective, meiotic) is very similar to mitosis. Because of the similarity, however, the two processes are easily confused. The major distinction is that meiosis consists of two groups of divisions, meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair at the metaphase plate, and then the homologues migrate to opposite poles. In meiosis II, chromosomes spread across the metaphase plate and sister chromatids separate and migrate to opposite poles. Thus, meiosis II is analogous to mitosis. A summary of each meiotic stage follows:

1. Prophase I begins like prophase of mitosis. The nucleolus disappears, chromatin condenses into chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle apparatus develops. Unlike mitosis, however, once the chromosomes are condensed, homologous chromosomes pair, a process called synapsis. These pairs of homologous chromosomes are variously referred to as tetrads (a group of four chromatids) or bivalents. During synapsis, corresponding regions along nonsister chromatids form close associations called chiasmata (singular, chiasma). Chiasmata are sites where genetic material is exchanged between nonsister homologous chromatids, a process called crossing over. A tetrad together with chiasmata and crossover events is referred to as a synaptonemal complex.

2. At metaphase I, homologous pairs of chromosomes are spread across the metaphase plate. Microtubules extending from one pole are attached to the kinetochore of one member of each homologous pair. Microtubules from the other pole are connected to the second member of each homologous pair.

3. Anaphase I begins when homologues within tetrads uncouple as they are pulled to opposite poles.

4. In telophase I, the chromosomes have reached their respective poles, and a nuclear membrane develops around them. Note that each pole will form a new nucleus that will have half the number of chromosomes, but each chromosome will contain two chromatids. Since daughter nuclei will have half the number of chromosomes, cells that they eventually form will be haploid.

Beginning in telophase I, the cells of many species begin cytokinesis and form cleavage furrows or cell plates. In other species, cytokinesis is delayed until after meiosis II. Also, a short interphase II may begin. In any case, no replication of chromosomes occurs during this period. Instead, part II of meiosis begins in both daughter nuclei.

5. In prophase II, the nuclear envelope disappears and the spindle develops. There are no chiasmata and no crossing over of genetic material as in prophase I.

6. In metaphase II, the chromosomes align singly on the metaphase plate (not in tetrads as in metaphase I). Single alignment of chromosomes is exactly what happens in mitosis except that now there is only half the number of chromosomes.

7. Anaphase II begins as each chromosome is pulled apart into two chromatids by the microtubules of the spindle apparatus. The chromatids (now chromosomes) migrate to their respective poles. Again, this is exactly what happens in mitosis except that now there is only half the number of chromosomes.

8. In telophase II, the nuclear envelope reappears at each pole and cytokinesis occurs. The end result of meiosis is four haploid cells. Each cell contains half the number of chromosomes, and each chromosome consists of only one chromatid. Later in interphase, a second chromatid in each chromosome is replicated, but the cell will still have only half the number of chromosomes.