Final answer:
Sexual reproduction leads to genetic variation through meiosis, which involves crossing-over, independent assortment, and random fertilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sexual reproduction leads to genetic variation through the process of meiosis. During meiosis, there are three main mechanisms that generate genetic variation:
Crossing-over: This occurs during prophase I of meiosis, when homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material. This results in chromosomes with new combinations of genes, increasing genetic diversity.
Independent assortment: During metaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes line up randomly at the equatorial plate. This random alignment leads to different combinations of chromosomes in the resulting gametes, contributing to genetic variation.
Random fertilization: When two gametes (sperm and egg) fuse during fertilization, the combination of their genetic material is random. This further increases the genetic variation of the offspring.
Overall, sexual reproduction and meiosis introduce genetic diversity by allowing for the shuffling and recombination of genetic material from both parents, resulting in offspring with unique combinations of traits.