Outline the process of meiosis.

There are two main parts to meiosis - meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, crossing over of homologous chromosomes occurs during prophase I, allowing exchange of genetic material between the two parental genomes. In metaphase I, homologous chromosomes are pulled to opposing poles of the cell and during anaphase I, the chromosomes are independently assorted. The cell cleaves during telophase I, resulting in the production of two diploid cells.In meiosis II, the same four stages occur, which results in the separation of sister chromatids and the production of four haploid cells.