What type of cell division results in four genetically diverse daughter cells?

Meiosis is the process of cell division that results in four genetically diverse daughter cells. This occurs specifically during the formation of gametes, which are the reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) in sexually reproducing organisms. The key aspect of meiosis is that it includes two rounds of division: meiosis I and meiosis II.

During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, which reduces the chromosome number by half. This is coupled with a process called independent assortment, where the chromosomes are randomly distributed into the daughter cells, leading to genetic variation. Additionally, during prophase I, genetic recombination or crossing over can occur, where segments of DNA are exchanged between homologous chromosomes, further contributing to genetic diversity.

As a result, the end product of meiosis is four haploid cells, each with a unique combination of genes, which is crucial for evolution and the adaptability of populations over time. This diversity is not found in other forms of cell division like mitosis, which produces two identical daughter cells, or processes like binary fission and budding, which are types of asexual reproduction.