The process you're referring to is called Meiosis, specifically during a phase known as Prophase I. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. **Interphase**: Before meiosis begins, the DNA in the parent cell is replicated during interphase. This results in two identical full sets of chromosomes.

2. **Prophase I**: During this phase, the homologous chromosomes pair up in a process called synapsis. The paired chromosomes are called tetrads. At this point, crossing-over can occur, where the chromosomes exchange segments, leading to genetic recombination.

3. **Metaphase I**: The tetrads line up along the metaphase plate in the middle of the cell. The orientation is random and can lead to an independent assortment of maternal and paternal chromosomes into the daughter cells.

4. **Anaphase I**: The homologous chromosomes are pulled apart and move to opposite ends of the cell. Note that unlike in mitosis, the sister chromatids remain together.

5. **Telophase I and Cytokinesis**: The cell splits into two, each with a haploid set of chromosomes (but each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids).

6. **Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, Telophase II and Cytokinesis**: These are similar to the stages in mitosis. The sister chromatids are finally separated into individual chromosomes and distributed into four daughter cells.

The result of meiosis is four genetically unique haploid gametes due to the shuffling and recombination of chromosomes during Prophase I.

Question

The process you're referring to is called Meiosis, specifically during a phase known as Prophase I. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. **Interphase**: Before meiosis begins, the DNA in the parent cell is replicated during interphase. This results in two identical full sets of chromosomes.

2. **Prophase I**: During this phase, the homologous chromosomes pair up in a process called synapsis. The paired chromosomes are called tetrads. At this point, crossing-over can occur, where the chromosomes exchange segments, leading to genetic recombination.

3. **Metaphase I**: The tetrads line up along the metaphase plate in the middle of the cell. The orientation is random and can lead to an independent assortment of maternal and paternal chromosomes into the daughter cells.

4. **Anaphase I**: The homologous chromosomes are pulled apart and move to opposite ends of the cell. Note that unlike in mitosis, the sister chromatids remain together.

5. **Telophase I and Cytokinesis**: The cell splits into two, each with a haploid set of chromosomes (but each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids).

6. **Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, Telophase II and Cytokinesis**: These are similar to the stages in mitosis. The sister chromatids are finally separated into individual chromosomes and distributed into four daughter cells.

The result of meiosis is four genetically unique haploid gametes due to the shuffling and recombination of chromosomes during Prophase I.

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