| Stage | Major events |
|---|---|
| Meiosis I | |
| Prophase I | Chromosomes condense, homologous chromosomes synapse, crossing over takes place, nuclear envelope breaks down, and mitotic spindle forms. |
| Metaphase I | Homologous pairs of chromosomes line up on the metaphase plate. |
| Anaphase I | The two chromosomes (each with two chromatids) of each homologous pair separate and move toward opposite poles. |
| Telophase I | Chromosomes arrive at the spindle poles. |
| Cytokinesis | The cytoplasm divides to produce two cells, each having half the original number of chromosomes. |
| Interkinesis | In some types of cells, the spindle breaks down, chromosomes relax, and a nuclear envelope re-forms, but no DNA synthesis takes place. |
| Meiosis II | |
| Prophase II* | Chromosomes condense, the spindle forms, and the nuclear envelope disintegrates. |
| Metaphase II | Individual chromosomes line up on the metaphase plate. |
| Anaphase II | Sister chromatids separate and move as individual chromosomes toward the spindle poles. |
| Telophase II | Chromosomes arrive at the spindle poles; the spindle breaks down and a nuclear envelope re-forms. |
| Cytokinesis | The cytoplasm divides. |