Meiosis is a reductional division in which the chromosomes are paired first, with each other, i.e., homologous chromosome pairing which is followed by a reduction in the number of chromosomes to half. The Meiosis is the type of cell division in which homologous chromosomes separate after an exchange of fragments. As a result of Meiosis, four haploid cells are produced, which are all genetically different from each other. This extent of variation is due to the process of crossing over or exchange of segments between homologous chromosomes.
These include two successive divisions without DNA replication between them are Meiosis I (reductional division), and Meiosis II (equational division). Essential (Special) Features of Meiosis I (reductional division).
(i) synapsis of homologous chromosomes,
(ii) crossing over of segments between non-sister chromatids of synapsed chromosomes,
(iii) segregation of homologous chromosomes,
(iv) separation of sister chromatids. Essential (Special) Features of Meiosis II (equational division)-It is same as mitosis
(i)Formation of single metaphasic plate
(ii)Splitting of centromere
(iii) Separation of sister chromatids