Meiosis does PMAT twice! That means there is a prophase I and a prophase II. There is a metaphase I and a metaphase II. Etc… If the cartoon below has chromosomes in the middle of the cell, how would you know whether it was in metaphase I or metaphase II?

One can detect if the cell is in metaphase I or II as follows:

If there is homologous chromosomes (metaphase I) or duplicated chromosomes/sister chromatids (metaphase II) in the middle of the cell.

MEIOSIS:Meiosis involves two series of nuclear divisions grouped into meiosis I and meiosis II. Each division has the same number of stages i.e prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase etc.Meiosis I involves the separation of homologous chromosomes i.e similar but non-identical chromosomes from each parent. On the other hand, meiosis II involves the separation of sister chromatids (duplicated chromosome). Since metaphase is generally characterized by the alignment of chromosome at the middle of the cell, it means that the difference between metaphase in meiosis I and II will be whether it is homologous chromosomes that are in the middle or sister chromatids.

Therefore, according to this question, one would know if the cartoon is in metaphase I or II if:

- there are homologous chromosomes in the middle of the cell (metaphase I)

- there are sister chromatids in the middle of the cell (metaphase II).

Learn more about meiosis at: link

Probably a behavioral adaptation