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: -In asexual reproduction an exact genetic copy of the parent organism is produced (a clone ). Unlike sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction only introduces genetic variation into the population if a random mutation in the organism’s DNA is passed on to the offspring.

Detailed explanation-3: -Genetic variations can arise from gene variants (also called mutations) or from a normal process in which genetic material is rearranged as a cell is getting ready to divide (known as genetic recombination). Genetic variations that alter gene activity or protein function can introduce different traits in an organism.

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: -In sexual reproduction, an organism combines the genetic information from each of its parents and is genetically unique. In asexual reproduction, one parent copies itself to form a genetically identical offspring.