How does the process of meiosis promote genetic variation in a species?

Because the genes cross over making a bigger variety of choices. there are more options to choose from, the male and female, and they cross over eachother

During meiosis, the chromosome pairs (remember, one from mom and one from dad) do something called "crossing over". In this process, the chromosomes switch pieces, which is called recombination. When the new gametes are formed at the end of meiosis, there are new combinations of genes within the gametes that weren't present before. 

When the sun hits the plant and the plant has water