This handout is a concise overview of the stages of mitosis and meiosis breaking down the language of DNA, so that it’s easier to understand. You’ll read full descriptions of each of the phases in both technical and easier-to-understand narratives to help make sense of these two incredible processes. The first page covers Mitosis, describing the difference between how the terms chromosomes and chromatids are used and how the chromosomal number persists to “2n” for a yield of two diploid cells, despite the division of the genetic information in the nucleus. The next page is dedicated to explaining Meiosis in full detail. In this discussion, homologues and tetrads are explained as meiosis continues down to the haploid level for gametes to be formed with the chromosomal number “n”. The remaining information is shared with images, courtesy of Pearson’s Human Anatomy & Physiology text.