At the end of meiosis, a diploid parental cell has produced:

At the end of meiosis, a diploid parental cell has produced four haploid daughter cells. Here are the steps:

1. Interphase: The DNA in the cell is copied resulting in two identical full sets of chromosomes. Outside of the nucleus are two centrosomes, each containing a pair of centrioles - these structures are critical for the process of cell division.

2. Prophase I: The chromosomes condense and pair up. Each chromosome aligns with its pair and swaps some genetic material - this is called recombination or 'crossing over'.

3. Metaphase I: The paired chromosomes align at the cell equator.

4. Anaphase I: The pairs of chromosomes, now called sister chromatids, separate and move to opposite ends of the cell.

5. Telophase I and Cytokinesis: The cell splits in two, creating two new cells each with a unique set of chromosomes.

6. Prophase II: The chromosomes in the two new cells condense.

7. Metaphase II: The chromosomes align at the cell equator, like they do in a mitosis.

8. Anaphase II: The sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers and move to opposite ends of the cell.

9. Telophase II and Cytokinesis: The chromosomes decondense and the cell splits in two, creating four new cells.

Each of these four cells is haploid, meaning it has half the number of chromosomes of the original cell. In humans, this means they have 23 chromosomes instead of 46. These cells can develop into sperm or eggs.