division I of meiosis

division I of meiosis

[də‚vizh·ən ¦wən əv mī′ō·səs]

(cell and molecular biology)

The first nuclear division of meiosis, which results in two daughter cells, each containing either the maternal or paternal chromosome from each homologous pair; it is divided into four stages: prophase I (homologous chromosome pairing, synapsis, and crossing over), metaphase I (interlocked homologous chromosomes line up on the middle of the meiotic spindle), anaphase I (homologous chromosome pairs separate and move to opposite poles), and telephase I (nuclear envelope reforms around each daughter nucleus).

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.