prophase I - DNA coils and becomes visible under light microscopes 

• sister chromatid cohesion - pairing of homologous pairs side by side
  • guided by heterochromatin sequences
  • homologues attach to nuclear envelope at specific sites
• recombination nodules - has enzymes for breaking/joining homologous chromatids
• crossing over between sister chromatids is suppressed
• only about 2-3 crossovers per chromosome per meiosis
• sister chromatids held together at centromeres, homologous chromosomal pairs held together where crossing over took place
• chiasma - X-shaped structure where crossover took place
  • ensures that the microtubule spindle only attaches to 1 side of centromere
  • indicates that crossing over has taken place

metaphase I - nuclear envelope dissolves 

• microtubules form spindle like in mitosis
• terminal chiasmata - state of chiasmata where they reach the ends of the chromosomes
• kinetochores only connect to centromeres on 1 side
• chromosome pairs line up on metaphase plate randomly

anaphase I - microtubules begin to shorten 

• chiasmata gets broken, homologues get pulled apart
• sister chromatids aren’t split up
• independent assortment - poles can have mixes of maternal/paternal homologues

telophase I - chromosomes located in clusters at each pole 

• nuclear membrane reforms around chromosomes, each w/ 2 sister chromatids
• sister chromatids no longer identical due to crossing over

meiosis II - occurs after a brief interphase after meiosis I 

• prophase II - nuclear membrane breaks down, microtubule spindle forms
• metaphase II - spindle fibers bind to both sides of centromeres
• anaphase II - sister chromatids split, go to opposite poles
• telophase II - nuclear envelope re-forms
• meiosis I/II result in 4 distinct cells w/ haploid chromosomal set