Final answer:
Genetic variability would increase due to crossing over during meiosis, which facilitates the exchange of DNA between maternal and paternal chromosomes, leading to various genetic combinations in gametes.
B is correct
Step-by-step explanation:
If meiosis continues and produces gametes in this case, the statement that would be MOST accurate concerning their genetic variability is: B) Genetic variability would increase because of crossing over. Chromosomal crossover is a critical event during meiosis that contributes to the genetic variability in gametes. It involves the reciprocal exchange of DNA between maternal and paternal chromosomes, leading to new combinations of genes. This process, along with the random orientation of homologous chromosomes and the subsequent random assortment, ensures that each gamete has a unique set of genetic information, thereby increasing genetic variability.
Crossing over occurs during prophase I of meiosis and creates recombinant chromatids with new combinations of maternal and paternal genes. Additionally, random assortment of chromosomes during metaphase I leads to over eight million possible genetically-distinct gametes in humans, before even considering the variability introduced by crossover events.
The continuous process of sexual reproduction has the potential to produce tremendous genetic variation in offspring due to independent assortment, crossing-over during meiosis, and the random union of gametes during fertilization.