Meiosis Graphic Organizer – Eight Phases to Draw

How it works

Meiosis divides a cell twice, and the phases of the second division carry the same names as the first. This meiosis graphic organizer puts the two divisions side by side, so a student sees what changes between a phase and its partner.

Read the full guide

Draw with two colors

Start with a cell of four chromosomes, two long and two short, and give each parent’s chromosomes a color. The colors make crossing over visible in prophase I and show which chromosomes part in anaphase I.

Compare with mitosis last

The compare chart works best after the phases are learned. Fill in the mitosis column from memory of the cell cycle, then the meiosis column, and talk about each row where the two answers differ.

No DNA is copied between the two divisions. A cell in prophase II has half as many chromosomes as one in prophase I.

Questions and answers

What are the phases of meiosis in order?

Prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I and telophase I make up meiosis I. Prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II and telophase II make up meiosis II.

What is the difference between meiosis I and meiosis II?

Meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes and halves the chromosome number, giving two haploid cells. Meiosis II separates sister chromatids, much as mitosis does, and ends with four haploid cells.

How is meiosis different from mitosis?

Mitosis divides once and makes two cells genetically identical to the parent, with the same number of chromosomes. Meiosis divides twice and normally makes four genetically unique cells, each with half the number. Meiosis produces gametes, the sex cells.

What is crossing over?

The exchange of matching regions between homologous chromosomes during prophase I. It gives chromosomes new combinations of genetic information, and it is one of two ways meiosis makes gametes that differ from each other.

All 11 organizers

The phases in order 5

Count the cells: before, after meiosis I, after meiosis II Three boxes across a landscape page, joined by arrows. In each, write how many cells there are and whether they are haploid or diploid.
Meiosis graphic organizer: eight phases to draw Meiosis I runs down the left and meiosis II down the right, so each phase sits beside its partner. Draw the cell in each box, then write what its chromosomes are doing.
Meiosis I: four phases in order Four numbered boxes joined by arrows, from prophase I to telophase I, each with a question about the chromosomes.
Meiosis II: four phases in order Four numbered boxes joined by arrows, from prophase II to telophase II, for the second division.
Phase chart: what happens and a sketch The eight phases printed down the side, with a box beside each for what happens and a box for a quick sketch.

Comparing 3

Crossing over and independent assortment A box for each of the two ways meiosis shuffles genes, with room for a sketch, and a box at the foot for why the four cells are not alike.
Meiosis I or meiosis II? Eight statements to tick Tick the division each statement is true of.
Mitosis and meiosis compare chart A column for each kind of cell division and five rows: the divisions, the cells made, their chromosome number, whether they match the parent cell, and what the division is for.

Samples and answer key 3

Answer key: meiosis I or meiosis II The eight statements with the right box marked on every row.
Sample compare chart, filled in The mitosis and meiosis chart with all ten boxes written in.
Sample meiosis organizer, filled in The eight boxes with what happens written in and the sketches left to draw.