What process results in the formation of four genetically distinct cells?

The process that leads to the formation of four genetically distinct cells is meiosis. Meiosis is a type of cell division specifically responsible for producing gametes, which are the reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) in sexually reproducing organisms.

During meiosis, a single diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division: meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, resulting in two haploid cells, each containing half the number of chromosomes but still with duplicated genetic material. Then, in meiosis II, which resembles mitosis, the sister chromatids are separated, leading to a total of four haploid daughter cells. Each of these cells has a unique combination of genes due to the processes of independent assortment and crossing over that occur during meoisis. This genetic diversity is crucial for evolution and adaptation in populations.

To clarify why the other processes do not lead to the formation of four genetically distinct cells: Mitosis typically results in two identical diploid cells, maintaining the same genetic material as the original cell. Cell division is a broad term that might refer to either mitosis or meiosis but does not specifically indicate the outcome of meiosis. Binary fission is a form of asexual