How does the process of Meiosis results in offspring cells that are genetically different than the parent cell that divided to produce them. 

Meiosis is the process of reductional division through which gametes are obtained and during this process crossing over or genetic recombination occurs, resulting in offspring cells that are genetically different from the parent cell that divided to produce them.

Explanation:

Meiosis is a reductive division process that consists in obtaining two haploid daughter cells from a diploid parent cell.

In the prophase of meiosis I, chromosomal crossover occurs, with genetic exchange between homologous non-sibling chromatids, once these homologous chromosomes are aligned.

As a result of meiosis not only will the daughter cells have half of the chromosomes of the original cell, but each daughter cell will be genetically different from the parent cell that divided to produce it.

Unlike meiosis, in mitosis the result will be two identical daughter cells -in number of chromosomes and genetic content- to the parent cell that originated them.

humans, along with other animals and plants, have linear chromosomes that are arranged in pairs within the nucleus of the cell. the only human cells that do not contain pairs of chromosomes are reproductive cells, or gametes, which carry just one copy of each chromosome.