Which of the following distinguishes prophase of meiosis I from prophase of mitosis? homologous chromosomes pair up spindle forms nuclear membrane breaks down chromosomes become visible Solution In meiosis there are two successive divion occure, meiosis I(which is reduction division) and meiosis II (similar division). While meiosis II is similar to mitosis,Meiosis I is a eventfull cell divion, divided into 4 phases....Prophase1, metaphase 1,Anaphase 1 and telophase 1. Prophase 1 of MEIOSIS 1 divided into following subphases- LEPTONEMA, ZYGONEMA, PACHYNEMA, DIPLOTENE and DIAKINESIS. In zygotene or Zygonema homologous chromosome(paternally derrived and maternally derrived) pair and form synapse in the process of synapsis..