Final answer:
Meiosis produces four unique haploid cells, which further develop into mature gametes through gametogenesis—spermatogenesis in males and oogenesis in females, resulting in sperm and eggs, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The resulting gametes produced by meiosis are haploid cells, which means they contain a single set of chromosomes. During meiosis, which includes two stages of cell division, four unique haploid daughter cells are produced. These cells are not yet mature gametes. The process by which they develop into mature gametes is called gametogenesis. In males, this process is known as spermatogenesis and results in the production of sperm, while in females it's called oogenesis and leads to the formation of eggs. However, egg production is distinct in that only one mature egg is formed from the four haploid cells from meiosis, while the other three cells, known as polar bodies, typically degenerate.
To generate genetic variability in offspring, meiosis introduces two vital mechanisms: crossing-over during prophase I and random assortment of chromosomes at metaphase I. Crossing-over allows the exchange of genetic material between nonsister chromatids of homologous chromosomes, creating recombinant chromatids with new combinations of genes. Meanwhile, the random assortment of chromosomes during metaphase I ensures a unique mix of maternal and paternal chromosomes in each gamete.