Final answer:
Daughter cells from meiosis have greater variation due to crossing-over and independent assortment, where homologous chromosomes exchange segments and separate randomly, a process not present in mitosis, which creates identical daughter cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason why daughter cells produced from meiosis have greater variation between them than those produced from mitosis is due to the genetic mixing and reduction of chromosomes that occurs during meiosis. In meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair up and can exchange segments of DNA through a process known as crossing-over. Furthermore, during meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated and distributed randomly to the daughter cells, a process termed independent assortment. Meanwhile, in mitosis, the daughter cells are meant to be genetically identical to the parent cell as it is a process of asexual reproduction.
The correct answer to the question is D. In meiosis, daughter cells have a random half of the chromosomes from the parent cell, which, combined with the effects of crossing-over and independent assortment, increases genetic variation.