One day there was a cell named Billy. He loved partying with his chromosome friends, so he decided to go through meiosis, so he could make more. Before he started this process, he had 2 chromosomes and one centrosome.

Billy goes through interphase and now has 2 centrosomes, since one was copied. The DNA is also loose and the chromosomes are unwound, also known as chromatin, where histone proteins are.

During the S phase of interphase, the DNA is copied, leaving Billy with two full sets of DNA. This makes him a diploid cell.Now they are homologous chromosomes, meaning they're identical.

Synapsis occurs during prophase 1. At this point the nuclear envelope has disappeared. One chromosome from the dad and one chromosome from the mom come together and wrap around each other. This is where crossing over happens. The segments of chromosomes from each parent are switching with each other.

Metaphase one occurs, and the chromosomes line up in the middle. This is where independent assortment happens. The chromosomes could have easily rearranged themselves in different positions.

During Metaphase one, the spindle from the centrosome also attaches to the centromere of each of the homologous chromsomes.

Billy then goes through anaphase one, where the homologous chromosomes are pulled apart.