Final answer:
Meiosis I is the most distinct stage from mitosis in meiosis, characterized by pairing of homologous chromosomes, crossing over, and reduction division from diploid to haploid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stage that is most distinct from mitosis in meiosis is meiosis I. In meiosis I, unlike mitosis, the homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material through a process called crossing over, which increases genetic diversity.
Furthermore, the chromosomes line up as tetrads during metaphase I, and the ploidy level is reduced from diploid to haploid due to the separation of homologous chromosomes, which is known as a reduction division. Meiosis II, in contrast, is quite similar to the process of mitosis where sister chromatids are separated into individual chromosomes.