Meiosis (UPDATED 2026)

Join the Amoeba Sisters as they define meiosis, explain its significance, and dive into general events of the major phases of meiosis: prophase I and II, metaphase I and II, anaphase I and II, and telophase I and II. Stay tuned for the last bit of the video where the Amoeba Sisters clarify some things regarding meiosis, including how the terms haploid/diploid apply and the starting cells of meiosis in humans. This video updates our older (2017) video on meiosis. Table of Contents: 00:00 Intro 0:44 Meiosis vs Mitosis 2:05 Introducing Gametes 2:47 Interphase 3:39 Meiosis Phases 4:25 Meiosis I 6:11 Meiosis II 7:10 Meiosis End Result 8:01 Polar Bodies 8:25 Nondisjunction 8:48 Haploid and Diploid 9:08 Starting Cells in Meiosis Factual Reference: Clark, Mary Ann, et al. “The Process of Meiosis - Biology 2E - OpenStax.” 2018. NOTES REGARDING UPDATE: You will find a bit more detail here than in our older 2017 meiosis video. We also have some extra points at the end that mention some things we wanted to expand on regarding meiosis in humans. Another thing that we have a note about in our older mitosis and meiosis video: based on some good feedback we received, we wanted to improve the crossing over appearance of the exchanged segments. IF a single crossover, the color change that represents crossover should show the full distal region from the crossover point to the end and extend the color to the full distal arm. But to add, you can have double crossovers and multiple crossovers. FURTHER READING SUGGESTIONS: Learn more about nondisjunction and conditions that can result? https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/13-2-chromosomal-basis-of-inherited-disorders Our video about the terms haploid and diploid, which can really help clear things up! https://youtu.be/iE4KFuzu5WQ?si=tGfmER5rIO6sYdHh The video mentions that when producing human egg cells, polar bodies tend to be formed. Learn more about that here:  https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/27-2-anatomy-and-physiology-of-the-ovarian-reproductive-system It is mentioned in the video that in human females, the starting cell that will undergo meiosis is called a primary oocyte and in human males, it’s called a primary spermatocyte. Learn more about the primary oocyte here: https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/27-2-anatomy-and-physiology-of-the-ovarian-reproductive-system Learn more about the primary spermatocyte here: https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/43-3-human-reproductive-anatomy-and-gametogenesis ----------------------------------------------- The Amoeba Sisters videos demystify science with humor and relevance. The videos center on Pinky's certification and experience in teaching biology at the high school level. Learn more about our videos here: https://www.amoebasisters.com/our-videos ⭐ Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amoebasisters 📖 Our Book: https://www.amoebasisters.com/book.html ❤️ Support Us? https://www.amoebasisters.com/support-us 🗂️ Resources that complement our videos! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b3kmAzFEjWgoMKCrkeNCKFYunWk04IuLY93jI4OY0gY/pubhtml Biology Video Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwL0Myd7Dk1F0iQPGrjehze3eDpco1eVz TIPS FOR VIEWING EDU YOUTUBE VIDEOS: Want to learn tips for viewing edu YouTube videos including changing the speed, language, viewing the transcript, etc? https://www.amoebasisters.com/pinkys-ed-tech-favorites/10-youtube-tips-from-an-edu-youtuber-duo MUSIC: Intro music purchased and licensed to Amoeba Sisters LLC. End music in this video is listed free to use/no attribution required from the YouTube audio library. TRANSLATIONS: https://www.amoebasisters.com/pinkys-ed-tech-favorites/community-contributed-subtitles