mitosis- finishes with 2 genetically identical daughter cells, 2n, diploid, and the chromosomes are seperated
meiosis- finishes with 4 daughter cells that are genetically different and half the original dna, n, haploid, the homologous chromosomes are seperated first then the sister chromatids are split up. during prophase 1, the tetrad of homologs cross over giving one way genetic diversity can occur. metaphase 1 has the law of independent assortment which is another way genetic variation occurs