The Puzzle of

Mitosis and
Meiosis
These puzzles are useful aids for learning about cell
division. Students will find the overview pages
helpful as they work on completing their puzzles.
Teachers may want to use the large phase pages as
overheads during discussions about cell division.

© 2001 Washington University Science Outreach Support from Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) R25 RR 15603
Teachers may reproduce these pages for classroom use. National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health
Overview

Preparation for Cell Division

Interphase Prophase

Chromosomes are so dispersed Chromosomes have condensed

in the nuclei that they cannot be and become distinguishable;
distinguished, but before interphase each chromosome consists of
ends, their DNA has been duplicated. two chromatids joined at their
centromeres.

Mitosis

Centromeres
SPLIT

Metaphase Anaphase Telophase Interphase

(NOT part of mitosis!)

Chromosomes line Sister chromatids Nuclei are re-formed; Cells have divided;
up on the spindle separate. each nucleus has chromosomes have
equator; homologues two chromosomes of unwound.
are not paired. each type.
ends, their DNA has been duplicated.
distinguished, but before interphase
in the nuclei that they cannot be

Chromosomes have condensed

two chromatids joined at their

Chromosomes are so dispersed

each chromosome consists of

and become distinguishable;

centromeres.

Mitosis puzzle pieces

Chromosomes line
up on the spindle
equator; homologues
are not paired. Interphase

Prophase
Sister chromatids
separate.
Metaphase

Centromeres
Nuclei are re-formed; SPLIT
each nucleus has
two chromosomes of
each type. Anaphase

Telophase
Cells have divided;
chromosomes have
unwound. Interphase
(NOT part of mitosis!)
 Preparation for Cell Division

Mitosis preparation puzzle

 Mitosis

Mitosis puzzle
Interphase
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
 Interphase
(NOT part of mitosis!)
Overview
Meiosis I

Centromeres
DO NOT split

Metaphase I Anaphase I Telophase I

Chromosomes line Sister chromatids Nuclei are not

up on the spindle stay together, but re-formed.
equator; homologues homologues separate.
are paired.

Meiosis II

Centromeres
SPLIT
Metaphase II Anaphase II Telophase II

Chromosomes line Sister chromatids Nuclei are re-formed;

up on the spindle separate. each nucleus has only
equator; homologues one chromosome of
are now in separate each type.
cells.
 Chromosomes line
up on the spindle
equator; homologues

SPLIT
are paired.

Anaphase I

Centromeres
Centromeres

Telophase I
DO NOT split

Anaphase II

Telophase II
Metaphase I

Metaphase II

Meiosis puzzle pieces

Sister chromatids
stay together, but
homologues separate.

Nuclei are not

re-formed.

Chromosomes line
up on the spindle
equator; homologues
are now in separate
cells.

Sister chromatids
separate.

Nuclei are re-formed;

each nucleus has only
one chromosome of
each type.
 Meiosis I

Meiosis I puzzle
 Meiosis II

Meiosis II puzzle
Metaphase I
Anaphase I
Telophase I
Metaphase II
Anaphase II
Telophase II