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Mitosis divides a cell into two genetically identical daughter cells. It is essential for tissue growth and asexual reproduction. Phases of mitosis: Chromosomes condense and become visible during prophase. The nuclear envelope dissolves. Metaphase chromosomes align along the cell's equatorial plane. Anaphase is when sister chromatids separate and move to opposite cell poles. Telophase: New nuclear envelopes enclose each set of chromosomes during cell division. Cytokinesis separates a cell's cytoplasm into two identical daughter cells. (Cell Division: Stages of Mitosis | Learn Science at Scitable, n.d.) 

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During meiosis, cells divide into four daughter cells that are not identical. Each daughter cell has half as many chromosomes as the parent cell56. This process is essential for sexual reproduction and maintaining genetic diversity. These are the steps in meiosis: During Meiosis I, the prophase I chromosomes pair up with identical pairs, and crossing-over occurs. At the start of metaphase, I, homologous pairs line up at the equatorial plane. Homologous chromosomes split apart and move to opposite ends of the cell. During telophase I, the nuclear membranes reform, and then cytokinesis happens. The chromosomes get smaller during Meiosis II, and the nuclear shell breaks down. In metaphase II, the chromosomes line up along the equatorial plane. Part II of anaphase: sister chromatids split apart. In telophase II, the nuclear membranes reform, and cytokinesis happens, making four daughter cells not identical to the mother cell. (Latham, 2021)

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Latham, K. (2021, January 22). Mitosis vs. Meiosis. Biology Dictionary. https://biologydictionary.net/mitosis-vs-meiosis/

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Mitosis and meiosis differ primarily in their outcomes. Mitosis results in the formation of two daughter cells identical to the parent cell in terms of chromosome number, whereas meiosis yields four daughter cells genetically distinct from each other and has half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

The rule of independent assortment by Mendel. Two things happen during meiosis that cause DNA variation78910:

Crossing over: During prophase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair up and trade regions, which makes new gene combinations.

Selection on your own: At metaphase I, homologous chromosome pairs line up randomly on the equatorial plane. This makes different mixes of maternal and father chromosomes.

These steps make gametes, which are sex cells. Each gamete has its own set of genes. During ovulation, gametes join together, creating a child with a unique set of genes. Mendel's law of independent sorting is based on this idea. It says that the alleles of two or more genes are sorted into gametes without affecting each other. This means that the allele a gamete gets for one gene doesn't change the allele it gets for another. This rule describes how traits can be passed down without affecting each other, which helps to create genetic diversity.  (2023, January 9)

Fowler, S., Roush, R. & Wise, J. (2023, January 9). Concepts of biology. Open Stax College.