The second stage of meiosis, or meiosis II, splits the sister chromatids into different cells. Each of these new cells still has one copy of each chromosome, and thus is haploid. At the end of meiosis II, the four individual strands of DNA that made up each pair of duplicated chromosomes at the start of meiosis are split up among four new cells.

The mechanics of meiosis II are very similar to those of mitosis.

Prophase II
During prophase II, the nuclear envelope and nucleolus disappear. Spindle fibers stretch out from the centrosomes in all directions. The chromatin condenses and the chromosomes become visible under magnification. The sister chromatids are not identical, because of crossing-over during prophase I.

Prometaphase/Metaphase II
In metaphase II, the chromosomes are pulled to the equatorial plane of the cell by the spindle fibers attached to their centromeres. They line up single file, with one sister chromatid of each chromosome on each side of the metaphase plate.

Anaphase II
During anaphase II, the centromeres split and the sister chromatids are pulled away from one another. Now called daughter chromosomes, they move to opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase II
In telophase II, the single-stranded chromosomes uncoil, the spindle apparatus disappears, and the nucleolus and nuclear membrane reform. Cytokinesis occurs and creates two new cells, for a total of four daughter cells formed from the original single parent cell. Each of these cells is haploid, and each has a unique DNA composition.