Question

Describe how fertilization contributes to this genetic variability

Answer 1

Genetic variability

Explanation:

• Sexual reproduction results in infinite possibilities of genetic variation or one can say sexual reproduction results in offspring that are genetically unique, they differ from both parents and also from each other
• This occurs through a number of mechanisms, including crossing-over, the independent assortment of chromosomes during anaphase I and fertilization
• With fertilization, more possibilities for genetic variation exist between any two people
• Sexual reproduction is the random fertilization of a gamete from the female using a gamete from the male
• In humans there are over 8 million ($2^{23}$) chromosome combinations which exist in the production of gametes in both the male and female
• When the homologous pairs of chromosomes line up during metaphase I and then are separated at anaphase I, there are $2^{23}$possible combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes
• During random fertilization, a sperm cell, with over 8 million possible chromosome combinations, fertilizes an egg cell, which also has over 8 million possible chromosome combinations
• Together there are over 64 trillion unique combinations
• Each human couple could produce a child with over 64 trillion unique chromosome combinations
• Mitosis and meiosis are two types of cell division, with dramatically different products
• Mitosis begins with a diploid somatic cell and ends with two genetically identical diploid cells whereas meiosis begins with a diploid cell and produces four haploid genetically unique cells that form gametes