The meiotic cell cycle differs from the mitotic cell cycle by having
a premeiotic S phase leading to high levels of recombination, a reductional pattern of chromosome segregation at the first division and a second division with no intervening DNA synthesis. There can be 4 periods of DNA synthesis during conjugation as in
- all 4 products of the second prezygotic division,
- in the gametic nuclei formed as a result of the third prezygotic division,
- in the 2 products of the first postzygotic division and
- in the 2 anteriorly located products (MA anlagen) of the second postzygotic division.