Final answer:
During Anaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes are segregated and pulled towards opposite poles of the cell, leading to the genetic diversity in the resulting haploid cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stage of cell division during which the homologous chromosomes are pulled to the opposite poles of the cell is Anaphase I of meiosis. During this phase, spindle fibers attached to the kinetochore shorten, separating the homologous pairs and moving them towards opposite ends of the cell.
This key process ensures that each daughter cell receives only one chromosome from each pair, ultimately leading to the formation of genetically unique haploid cells after the completion of meiosis.
It is important to distinguish between Anaphase I and Anaphase II. In Anaphase I, homologous chromosomes are pulled apart, whereas in Anaphase II, the separation involves the sister chromatids.
The successful completion of these stages ensures the proper segregation of genetic material and is critical for the genetic diversity resulting from sexual reproduction.