Answer:
Mitosis and meiosis are both fundamental processes in biology, each with distinct roles in ensuring species survival and adaptation through genetic diversity and reproductive strategies. Mitosis is essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms, producing genetically identical daughter cells. While mitosis maintains stability within a species by preserving the genetic makeup, it does not contribute to genetic diversity or adaptation to changing environments.
On the other hand, meiosis is specifically designed for sexual reproduction, producing gametes (sperm and eggs) with genetic variability through processes like crossing over and independent assortment. This genetic diversity is crucial for adaptation as it introduces new combinations of alleles, enhancing a species' ability to respond to environmental changes and challenges. Meiosis ensures genetic recombination, which promotes evolutionary fitness by allowing advantageous traits to persist and less favorable ones to be eliminated over generations.
In conclusion, while mitosis maintains genetic stability, meiosis offers a more effective mechanism for species survival and adaptation due to its role in generating genetic diversity, which is essential for evolutionary processes and the long-term viability of species in diverse and changing environments.