Final answer:
Anaphase I involves the separation of homologous chromosomes, whereas anaphase II involves the separation of sister chromatids. Crossover recombination, which is part of genetic mixing during meiosis, occurs before anaphase I and is not a feature of anaphase.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anaphase I of meiosis differs from anaphase II in several key ways. During anaphase I, homologous chromosomes are separated and pulled to opposite poles of the cell, whereas, during anaphase II, sister chromatids are separated and move towards opposite poles. It is crucial to note that crossover recombination, which involves the exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids, occurs during prophase I and not during anaphase of either division.
To clarify, in anaphase I, the chromosomes that separate are each composed of two sister chromatids joined at the centromere. However, the chromosomes that split during anaphase II are the sister chromatids themselves, reflecting a division similar to that seen in mitosis.