During metaphase 1 of meiosis, homologous pairs of chromosomes align on either side of the equatorial plate, also known as the metaphase plate/11%3A_Meiosis_and_Sexual_Reproduction/11.02%3A_The_Process_of_Meiosis_-Meiosis_I). The pairs of homologous chromosomes form tetrads, and within the tetrad, any pair of chromatid arms can overlap and fuse in a process called crossing-over or recombination. The orientation of each pair is random, which allows for the formation of gametes with different sets of homologues. The spindle fibers attach to the kinetochores of the chromosomes and move them towards the center of the cell/11%3A_Meiosis_and_Sexual_Reproduction/11.02%3A_The_Process_of_Meiosis-Meiosis_I). The homologous pairs of chromosomes align at the metaphase plate with kinetochores facing opposite poles/11%3A_Meiosis_and_Sexual_Reproduction/11.02%3A_The_Process_of_Meiosis-_Meiosis_I). Once the chromosomes are correctly positioned, the cell moves on to the next phase of meiosis I. In anaphase I, the spindle fibers contract and pull the homologous pairs, each with two chromatids, away from each other and toward each pole of the cell.