Meiosis Stages Diagram Labeled

Eight stages and the chromosomes that make them: 14 parts to name, labeled or blank.

Meiosis Stages Diagram Labeled

Name Date

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
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Write the name of each numbered part.Answer key

  1. Prophase I
  2. Metaphase I
  3. Anaphase I
  4. Telophase I
  5. Prophase II
  6. Metaphase II
  7. Anaphase II
  8. Telophase II
  9. Four haploid cells
  10. Homologous chromosomes
  11. Tetrad
  12. Chiasma
  13. Crossing over
  14. Sister chromatids

Drawn for this site by script, 2026-09-26. Licence: own work.

Each numbered ring is a button. Use the arrow keys to move between them and Enter to choose. Names are read out in Study, and once a part is answered.

Next step Compare: the stages of mitosis

All 14 parts on the diagram

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Start here: 7 main parts 7

  1. Prophase I Homologous chromosomes pair up tightly and swap pieces by crossing over. Meanwhile the nuclear envelope breaks down.
  2. Metaphase I The homologous pairs line up on the metaphase plate. One chromosome of each pair faces each pole.
  3. Anaphase I The homologous chromosomes are pulled apart to opposite poles. The sister chromatids stay joined.
  4. Telophase I The chromosomes reach the poles and the cell divides in two. Each new cell is haploid, but each chromosome still has two chromatids.
  5. Four haploid cells The result of meiosis. Four cells, each with one set of chromosomes, all genetically different.
  6. Homologous chromosomes A matching pair, one from each parent. They carry the same genes in different versions.
  7. Crossing over The swap of matching pieces between non-sister chromatids of a homologous pair. Here the swapped ends keep the other parent's shade.

Meiosis II: 4 stages and the result 4

  1. Prophase II Each of the two cells gets ready to divide again. Chromosomes condense and any new nuclear envelope breaks up. The DNA is not copied again.
  2. Metaphase II The chromosomes line up at the middle of each cell. One sister chromatid faces each pole.
  3. Anaphase II The sister chromatids are pulled apart and move to opposite poles.
  4. Telophase II Nuclei form round the chromosomes at each pole. Each cell divides, making four cells in all.

The chromosomes: 5 3

  1. Tetrad A pair of homologous chromosomes held together in prophase I. Four chromatids in all.
  2. Chiasma The point where non-sister chromatids stay joined after crossing over. The plural is chiasmata.
  3. Sister chromatids The two identical copies of one chromosome. They are joined at the centromere until anaphase II.

How this list was compiled: Read 2026-09-26. OpenStax Biology 2e, section 11.1 The Process of Meiosis, https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/11-1-the-process-of-meiosis : sister chromatids from S phase held at the centromere until anaphase II; prophase I synapsis of homologous chromosomes, crossing over between homologous nonsister chromatids, seen afterwards as chiasmata (singular chiasma), the pairs held together only at the chiasmata and called tetrads; metaphase I homologous chromosomes at the metaphase plate with kinetochores facing opposite poles, one of each pair from each parent, oriented at random; anaphase I homologous chromosomes pulled apart while sister chromatids stay bound; telophase I and cytokinesis giving two haploid cells whose chromosomes still have two sister chromatids; interkinesis with no S phase; prophase II chromosomes condensing again and nuclear envelopes fragmenting; metaphase II sister chromatids aligned at the equator; anaphase II sister chromatids pulled to opposite poles; telophase II and cytokinesis giving four haploid cells. Licence: own work

The drawing: Drawn for this site by script, 2026-09-26. Own work, nothing traced. Licence: own work

How it works

A meiosis stages diagram labeled from start to finish: meiosis I across the top, meiosis II below with both daughter cells, ending in four haploid cells. Two chromosome pairs in two shades show crossing over. Start with the 7 main parts.

Read the full guide

Meiosis I splits the pairs

In prophase I each chromosome pairs with its homologue to form a tetrad, and non-sister chromatids swap pieces by crossing over. In metaphase I the pairs line up on the plate; in anaphase I the homologues are pulled apart, and telophase I leaves two haploid cells.

Meiosis II splits the sisters

The DNA is not copied again. In each of the two cells the chromosomes line up in metaphase II, the sister chromatids separate in anaphase II, and telophase II ends with four haploid cells.

  • Follow one shade: each end in the other shade is a piece swapped by crossing over, and it rides to one of the four cells.

Questions and answers

What is the difference between meiosis I and meiosis II?

Meiosis I separates the homologous chromosomes, halving the number of chromosomes. Meiosis II separates the sister chromatids, much as mitosis does. Together they turn one diploid cell into four haploid cells.

What is a tetrad in meiosis?

A pair of homologous chromosomes held together in prophase I. Each chromosome has two chromatids, so the pair shows four chromatids in all.

What is the difference between crossing over and a chiasma?

Crossing over is the swap of matching pieces between non-sister chromatids. A chiasma is the point where the chromatids stay joined afterwards, and it shows where a crossover happened. Chiasmata last until anaphase I.

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