Cell division happens twice during meiosis. One starting cell can produce for gametes (eggs or sperm.) In each round of division, cells go through four phases called prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
prophase During prophase the chromosomes become visible as paired chromatids and the nuclear envelope disappears. This phase includes reduction division, which is where the number of chromosomes is decreased from 46 (diploid) to 23 (haploid.)
metaphase This is where the 23 remaining chromosomes become attached to the spindle fibers.
anaphase During this phase, the chromosomes move away from each other to one or the other pole of the spindle fiber.
telophase In which the chromatids or chromosomes move to opposite ends of the cell and two nuclei are formed.
interphase This is a resting period.
