What is the outcome of sexual reproduction through meiosis?

The outcome of sexual reproduction through meiosis results in four genetically diverse daughter cells. During meiosis, a single diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division — meiosis I and meiosis II.

In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, and this process involves recombination or crossing over, which allows for the exchange of genetic material between chromosomes. This genetic shuffling creates variation among the resulting cells. Following meiosis II, the two resulting cells from meiosis I divide again, separating the sister chromatids. The end result is four haploid cells, each with a unique combination of alleles due to the independent assortment of chromosomes and the recombination that occurred in meiosis I.

This genetic diversity is crucial for evolution and adaptation in sexually reproducing populations, as it increases the variability of traits that can be passed on to the next generation.