How does meiosis produce genetic variation among daughter cells?

Two events during meiosis create genetic variation. 1.) Crossing over between homologous chromosomes: During prophase of the first meiotic division, homologous chromosomes (chromosomes with the same gene loci, with one coming from the mother and the other from the father) form pairs. There is exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes by crossing over, and the point of crossing over of two chromatids is called a chiasma (Diagram of chiasma formation would be used). This crossing over event produces new combinations of maternal and paternal alleles, therefore generating genetic variation. 2.) Independent segregation of homologous chromosomes: During metaphase of the first meiotic division, homologous pairs of chromosomes line up at the cell equator. One chromosome from each homologous pair will go into each of the two new cells. The order in which the homologous pairs of chromosomes line up is random, generating 2^n possible combinations of chromosomes in daughter cells, where n is the number of pairs of homologous chromosomes.