AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -During sexual reproduction the genetic material of two individuals is combined to produce genetically diverse offspring that differ from their parents. The genetic diversity of sexually produced offspring is thought to give species a better chance of surviving in an unpredictable or changing environment.

Detailed explanation-2: -Answer: Natural selection is a mechanism that drives evolutionary change. Simply put, it is the survival of traits that are favorable to an organism within its environment.

Detailed explanation-3: -The greatest biodiversity is found in the tropical regions of the world, particularly among tropical rainforests and coral reefs. Biodiversity is increased by genetic change and evolutionary processes and reduced by habitat destruction, population decline and extinction.

Detailed explanation-4: -Sexual reproduction involves fusion of the sex cells-the sperm and egg. This fusion leads to mixing of genes of 2 sex cells. The resultant offspring has a mixture of genes from both father and mother. This leads to more genetic variation.

Detailed explanation-5: -Summary. Sexual reproduction has the potential to produce tremendous genetic variation in offspring. This variation is due to independent assortment and crossing-over during meiosis, and random union of gametes during fertilization.