Question: how to tell the difference between metaphase 1 and 2?
Answer: What is the difference between Metaphase 1 and Metaphase 2? In Metaphase I, the 'pairs of chromosomes' are arranged on the Metaphase plate while, in the Metaphase II, the 'chromosomes' are arranged on the metaphase plate. In Metaphase I, the spindle fibers get attached to two centromeres of each homologous chromosome.