AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Sexual reproduction results in genetic variation, or genetic differences, between parents and offspring. Offspring inherit one set of chromosomes from each parent. So, an offspring has a mixture of chromosomes (and alleles) from its two parents.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -Asexual reproduction generates offspring that are genetically identical to a single parent. In sexual reproduction, two parents contribute genetic information to produce unique offspring. Sexual and asexual reproduction have advantages and disadvantages-which is why some organisms do both!

Detailed explanation-4: -Meiosis also produces genetic variation by way of the process of recombination. Later, this variation is increased even further when two gametes unite during fertilization, thereby creating offspring with unique combinations of DNA.