What is Meiosis? Give the key features of it and explain them.

(N/A) $\Rightarrow$ The production of offspring by sexual reproduction includes the fusion of two gametes,each with a complete haploid set of chromosomes. Gametes are formed from specialised diploid cells.
$\Rightarrow$ This specialised kind of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half results in the production of haploid daughter cells; this kind of division is called Meiosis.
$\Rightarrow$ Meiosis ensures the production of a haploid phase in the life cycle of sexually reproducing organisms,whereas fertilisation restores the diploid phase.
$\Rightarrow$ In plants and animals,meiosis during gametogenesis leads to the formation of haploid gametes.
$\Rightarrow$ The key features of meiosis are as follows:
$\Rightarrow$ Meiosis involves two sequential cycles of nuclear and cell division called Meiosis $I$ and Meiosis $II$,but only a single cycle of $DNA$ replication.
$\Rightarrow$ Meiosis $I$ is initiated after the parental chromosomes have replicated to produce identical sister chromatids at the $S$ phase.
$\Rightarrow$ Meiosis involves the pairing of homologous chromosomes and recombination between them.
$\Rightarrow$ Four haploid cells are formed at the end of Meiosis $II$.
$\Rightarrow$ Meiotic events can be grouped under the following phases:

Meiosis $I$	Meiosis $II$
Prophase $I$	Prophase $II$
Metaphase $I$	Metaphase $II$
Anaphase $I$	Anaphase $II$
Telophase $I$	Telophase $II$