How do cells divide in meiosis …

Meiosis is divided into two phases which are meiosis one and meiosis two. In meiosis one there are five stages namely leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene and diakinesis in prophase, then normal metaphase, anaphase and telophase follows. In leptotene, the condensation of chromosomes occurs. In zygotene, the homologous pairing of chromosomes occurs. In pachytene, crossing over takes place forming chiasmata, which leads to variation. In diplotene, chiasma break down and slip to the tip of chromosomes. In diakinesis, nuclear membrane and nucleolus disappear and all chromosomes come to the center. After the end of prophase one, metaphase one, anaphase one and telophase one occurs, similar to mitosis. The only difference is that two cells with sister chromatids would be present. This is then followed by meiosis two which is very similar to mitosis. The main difference between mitosis and meiosis is that the latter leads to variation and is called the reductions division while the former is called equational division.

Cells divide in half of the toal cells