Mitosis produces genetically identical cells, whereas meiosis leads to the production of genetically variable offspring.
Most organisms use some form of sexual reproduction based on meiosis.
Independent assortment of chromosomes and crossing over both lead to increased genetic variability among the cells produced in meiosis. Explain how each of these processes does this. In humans, gametes usually have 23 chromosomes, but sometimes a gamete forms with 24 chromosomes. Explain what happens in meiosis to produce this result.