What is one key difference between meiosis and mitosis?

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms, and one of its key functions is to produce gametes—sperm and egg cells. A significant aspect of meiosis is its ability to promote genetic diversity, which is achieved through two main processes: independent assortment and crossing over.

During meiosis, homologous chromosomes are separated into different cells, and before this separation occurs, segments of DNA can be exchanged between homologous chromosomes in a process called crossing over. This genetic recombination results in new combinations of alleles, enhancing genetic variation among offspring. Independent assortment further contributes to this diversity, as the orientation of chromosome pairs during metaphase can vary, leading to a mix of maternal and paternal chromosomes in the resulting gametes.

This genetic diversity is crucial for evolution and adaptation, allowing populations to better respond to environmental changes and pressures. In contrast, mitosis primarily functions for growth and repair, producing two genetically identical daughter cells, hence it does not contribute to genetic diversity.