Here's why:
* Mitosis: Produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. This is important for growth and repair.
* Meiosis: Produces four daughter cells that are genetically different from the parent cell and from each other. This is important for sexual reproduction and genetic diversity.
How Meiosis Creates Genetic Variation:
1. Crossing Over: During Prophase I, homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material. This shuffles the alleles (versions of genes) on each chromosome.
2. Independent Assortment: During Metaphase I, the homologous chromosome pairs line up randomly at the equator of the cell. This means that each daughter cell receives a random mix of chromosomes from the parent cell.
These two processes ensure that each of the four daughter cells produced by meiosis is genetically unique, contributing to the genetic diversity of offspring.
