AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Sexual reproduction allows new combinations of genes to form. This greater genetic diversity increases the phenotypic variation: that is, it increases the physical variety of the organisms. This increases the likelihood that the animal will adapt to the changing environment through a process called evolution.

Detailed explanation-2: -Answer and Explanation: The greatest benefit of sexual reproduction is genetic variation thanks to the fusion of two gametes, that themselves were produced by meiosis.

Detailed explanation-3: -Meiosis is important because it ensures that all organisms produced via sexual reproduction contain the correct number of chromosomes. Meiosis also produces genetic variation by way of the process of recombination.

Detailed explanation-4: -During meiosis, homologous chromosomes (1 from each parent) pair along their lengths. The chromosomes cross over at points called chiasma. At each chiasma, the chromosomes break and rejoin, trading some of their genes. This recombination results in genetic variation.

Detailed explanation-5: -Crossing-over is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes. It results in new combinations of genes on each chromosome. When cells divide during meiosis, homologous chromosomes are randomly distributed to daughter cells, and different chromosomes segregate independently of each other.