Meiosis
Telophase 2
Each cell is separated once more, ending up with 4 new haploid cells, each with nuclear envelopes and 2 sister chromatids. Actual defenition : A nuclear envelope forms around each set of chromosomes and cytokinesis occurs, producing four daughter cells, each with a haploid set of chromosomes. Cytokenisis occurs, producing 4 gametes.
Metaphase 2
Each cell's chromosomes line up on the equator of the cell. Actual Defenition : The chromosomes become arranged on the metaphase plate, much as the chromosomes do in mitosis, and are attached to the now fully formed spindle.
Prophase I
In this phase spindle fibers start to form and the nuclear envelope disappears. The chromosome line up to form the Chiasma and start crossing over, transferring DNA from one chromosome to another. This is something specific to meiosis, mitosis does not have this. Actual Defenition : Chromosomes become visible, crossing-over occurs, the nucleolus disappears, the meiotic spindle forms, and the nuclear envelope disappears.
Anaphase 1
In this phase the homologous pairs of chromosomes are pulled to each side of the cell, 2 on each side. Actual Defenition : The two chromosomes in each bivalent separate and migrate toward opposite poles.
Metaphase 1
In this phase the tetrad, homologous pairs, or bivalent of chromosomes, are attached to spindle fibers and lined up at the center of the cell, or equatorial plate. Actual Defenition : The pairs of chromosomes (bivalents) become arranged on the metaphase plate and are attached to the now fully formed meiotic spindle.
Prophase 2
The nuclear envelope starts to disappear and the spindle fibers start to form in each cell. Actual Defenition : Meiosis II begins without any further replication of the chromosomes. In prophase II, the nuclear envelope breaks down and the spindle apparatus forms.
Interphase
This is a time before meiosis occurs in which the cells grow and develop in preparation for meiosis. Actual Defenition : The chromosomes duplicate prior to meiosis.
Telophase 1
This is when the cell splits in two, so that there is 2 chromosomes in each new cell. Nuclear envelopes form around the chromosomes. Actual Defenition : The homologous chromosome pairs reach the poles of the cell, nuclear envelopes form around them, and cytokinesis follows to produce two cells.
Anaphase 2
The chromosomes separate into individual sister chromatids and are pulled to each end of the cells. Actual Defenition : The centromeres separate and the sister chromatids—now individual chromosomes—move toward the opposite poles of the cell.
