AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -During meiosis, homologous chromosomes (1 from each parent) pair along their lengths. The chromosomes cross over at points called chiasma. At each chiasma, the chromosomes break and rejoin, trading some of their genes. This recombination results in genetic variation.

Detailed explanation-2: -The essential difference between mitotic and meiotic replication is that a single DNA duplication step is followed by only one cell division in mitosis but two cell divisions in meiosis (four daughter cells). Consequently, daughter cells contain only half of the chromosome content of parent cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mitosis creates two identical daughter cells that each contain the same number of chromosomes as their parent cell. In contrast, meiosis gives rise to four unique daughter cells, each of which has half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Detailed explanation-4: -For reproduction of an organism to occur, the original parent cell will undergo Meiosis to create 4 new daughter cells with a slightly different genetic makeup in order to ensure genetic diversity when fertilization occurs.