• Cells undergoing?meiosis?can be observed and photographed using specialised microscopes
• The different stages of meiosis have distinctive characteristics meaning they can be identified from photomicrographs or diagrams

Meiosis I or Meiosis II

• Homologous chromosomes?pair up side by side in meiosis I only
• This means if there are?pairs of chromosomes?in a diagram or photomicrograph?meiosis I?must be occurring
• The number of cells forming can help distinguish between meiosis I and II
• If there are?two new cells?forming it is?meiosis I?but if there are?four new cells?forming it is?meiosis II

The distinguishing features at each stage of Meiosis I

• Prophase I:?Homologous pairs?of chromosomes are visible
• Metaphase I: Homologous pairs are lined up?side by side?along the?equator?of spindle
• Anaphase I:?Whole chromosomes?are being pulled to opposite?poles?with?centromeres intact
• Telophase I: There are?2 groups?of condensed chromosomes around which nuclei membranes are forming
• Cytokinesis: Cytoplasm is dividing and?cell membrane is pinching inwards?to form?two cells

The distinguishing features at each stage of Meiosis II

• Prophase II:?Single whole chromosomes?are visible
• Metaphase II: Single whole chromosomes are lined up along the?equator?of the spindle in?single file?(at 90 degree angle to the old spindle)
• Anaphase II:?Centromeres divide?and?chromatids?are being pulled to opposite?poles
• Telophase II: Nuclei are forming around the?4 groups?of condensed chromosomes
• Cytokinesis: Cytoplasm is dividing and?four haploid cells?are forming

Identifying the stages of meiosis table

Prophase I, Metaphase I , Anaphase I and Telophase I as seen in photomicrographs

Prophase II, Metaphase II , Anaphase II and Telophase II as seen in photomicrographs