1. Mitosis creates two identical daughter cells with a complete set of DNA. Key steps include prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, where chromosomes are duplicated and evenly split.

2. Meiosis results in four genetically unique daughter cells, with half the DNA. It involves two rounds of division: meiosis I, where homologous chromosomes are separated, and meiosis II, where sister chromatids are divided.

Chromosomes' behavior during meiosis contributes to genetic variation through crossing over and independent assortment, as described by Mendel's law of independent assortment. This law states that alleles for different traits segregate independently during the formation of gametes, leading to diverse genetic combinations.

Reference

Concepts of Biology 7.2 Meiosis.

https://search.yahoo.com/imagesofmeiosis.

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=litmus&hsimp=yhs-caerus&type=1476589-vsub-2_23396_1_E0_V_nwtb&p=pictures+of+Mitosis.

Concepts of Biology 7.1 and 7.2 Meiosis.