Synapsis is the pairing of homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis. Due to synapsis, pairs of homologous chromosomes are arranged in a way that allows for crossing over to occur, which leads to genetic recombination, and genetic diversity.

Meiosis I is the first cell division of the entire meiosis process. Following segregation of homologous chromosome pairs, or tetrads, the two resulting daughter cells have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. These chromosomes have two sister chromatids per chromosome, which are nonidentical due to crossing over.

Prophase II marks the beginning of the second cell division of meiosis, called meiosis II. Unlike prophase I, the chromosomes are not duplicated prior to the start of prophase II. However, during prophase II, the centrioles replicate, resulting in two pairs of centrioles per cell. The two centriole pairs separate to opposite cell poles. Other features of prophase II are chromosome condensation, the degradation of the nuclear membrane, and meiotic spindle formation.

During metaphase II, sister chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate, like during the metaphase of mitosis. Mitotic spindles are attached to the kinetochores during this stage. Homologous chromosomes have already been separated during anaphase I.

Gametes are haploid sex cells produced from germ line cells during mitosis. During human fertilization, male and female haploid gametes fuse to form a diploid zygote. 

The processes of mitosis and meiosis have many characteristics in common (i.e. cytokinesis, chromosome condensation, and nuclear membrane reformation); however, there are key differences that distinguish the processes from one another. One of these differences is the cell type that result from each respective process. Mitosis results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Meiosis, on the other hand, yields four daughter cells with half of the number of chromosomes as the parent cell—“haploid” cells.

The exchange of genetic material happens during the prophase I of meiosis. We know that since meiosis I involves the pairing, crossing over, and separation of homologous chromosomes, our answer must be in meiosis I. During metaphase I, the tetrads line up along the metaphase plate, and during anaphase they begin to be pulled to opposite sides of the cell by spindle fibers.

In prophase I, homologous chromosomes pair up and facilitate the exchange of genetic information through the process of crossing over.

In preparation for cell division, DNA is copied (replicated) to create chromosomes with two identical sides (sister chromatids), which are connected at the centromere. DNA must be replicated before prophase, in S phase of interphase. Do not be confused with the terms centrioles, centrosomes, and centromere. Centrioles are located at centrosomes, which are found at opposite poles of the cell during meiosis stages of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. The question is asking about interphase, which is prior to the meiosis/mitosis stages. 

For homogenous or identical cells of a particular tissue, mitosis allows for the restoration of lost or damaged tissue by resulting in identical daughter cells which can replace lost cells. The same is true for an asexual population. The process of mitosis has several checkpoints to ensure fidelity with each round of copied cells. Meiosis, on the other hand, tries to ensure evolutionary fitness of a sexually reproducing population by introducing a variety of genetic alleles per gamete which will result in fertilization to create a unique individual. Therefore, mitosis allows for growth, restoration of damaged tissue, asexual reproduction (for example, bacteria!) and does not result in genetic variety.