Question

Name 3 processes that increase genetic variation during the process of meiosis or fertilization. Explain why sexual reproduction increases variation among offspring much more than asexual reproduction does.

Answer 1

Answer:

The three processes that increase the genetic variation during the process of meiosis are independent assortment, crossing over, and random fusion of gamete.  

During independent assortment, each gene pair assort independently from the other gene pairs in the gametes which brings the different combinations of gene pairs in gamete that cause genetic variation.

Crossing over between homologous chromosomes makes the exchange of genes possible between chromosomes and random fertilization between gametes of two different parents helps in the production of a genetically different offspring. Therefore independent assortment, crossing over and random gamete fusion increase genetic variation during fertilization.

In sexual reproduction there is combination of two different gametes from two different parents which helps in producing an offspring which is genetically different from parents and in asexual reproduction there is no fusion of gamete of different parents and the offsprings are genetically similar to parent therefore in sexual reproduction chances of variation is plenty.