Meiosis is one continuous process from beginning to end. This diagram shows a general summary of two pairs of chromosomes going through meiosis. Only the nucleus and the centrioles are shown. In A, the chromosomal DNA is already replicated and the homologous chromosomes are partially paired. In B, pairing is completed but the two chromatids of each chromosome have not yet condensed enough to be visible.
E represents anaphase of the first meiotic division.
The centromeres of homologous chromosomes are moving to the poles without dividing, thus separating the maternal centromere from the paternal centromere along with their associated chromosomes that have recombined. In F, the centromeres each of the haploid chromosomes with its two chromatids are migrating to the metaphase plate. G shows the centromeres dividing and moving toward the poles in early anaphase of the second meiotic division. H demonstrates the nuclei of the 4 haploid products that result from the meiotic division of one initial diploid cell. In humans, none of the four haploid products is identical, since recombination occurs at least once for each chromatid, but they all contain the same amount of DNA and each contains 23 chromosomes.