Answer:
Independent assortment of chromosomes and hence alleles at Prophase 1 and Anaphase 1 of meiosis ;ensured that chromosomes of alleles undergo variation at meiosis with random distribution of genes.
The random mating and fusion ensured that random fertilization of gametes take place for the new offspring to inherited varied genetic material from both parents. Therefore they inherited traits which made them different from both parents.
FULL QUESTION
During meiosis, homologous chromatids exchange genetic material by a process called crossing over. This process increases genetic variation in the gametes that are produced.
The figure shows the type of meiotic processes and fertilization for animals. Gametes fuse together in the process called fertilization and form a diploid zygote, which develops into diploid multicellular organism through a series of mitotic divisions. Then meiosis occurs in organism's cells and produces haploid gametes and the cycle repeats. The figure shows the type of meiotic processes and fertilization for plants and some algae. Haploid gametes fuse and form a diploid zygote, which develops into diploid multicellular organism or sporophyte through a process called fertilization. The cells of sporophyte undergo meiosis and form haploid spores. Spores grow into haploid multicellular organism called gametophyte, which produce haploid gametes through mitosis and the cycle repeats.
Which of the following explanations of other meiotic processes and fertilization would also increase variation within a population