What type of cell division allows for evolution through genetic variation?

Meiosis is the type of cell division that facilitates evolution through genetic variation. This process occurs in sexually reproducing organisms and involves two rounds of division, resulting in four genetically diverse gametes, each with half the number of chromosomes of the original cell.

The key to genetic variation in meiosis is the processes of crossing-over and independent assortment. During prophase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes can exchange genetic material through crossing-over, leading to new combinations of alleles. Additionally, during metaphase I, the orientation of each chromosome pair is random, ensuring that the distribution of maternal and paternal chromosomes into the gametes is unique. This genetic diversity generated by meiosis is critical for evolution, as it provides a wider range of traits upon which natural selection can act, ultimately influencing adaptation and survival of species in changing environments.

In contrast, mitosis produces identical daughter cells, thereby maintaining the same genetic makeup and lacking the variation that drives evolutionary changes. Other processes like binary fission and fragmentation are forms of asexual reproduction that typically result in clones and do not contribute significantly to genetic diversity.