Question

how are mutation and sexual reproduction involved in creating and maintaining variation in a population? answer in simple terms

Answer 1

In sexual reproduction, gametes receive a random assortment of genetic information from their parents, which creates unique genetic combinations in the offspring.

These new genetic variations can result in new traits, some of which may be beneficial, harmful, or neutral. Natural selection can effect these traits, causing the amount of beneficial traits to increase in the population, with the opposite happening for harmful traits.

Mutations in sexual reproduction are important for creating and maintaining genetic variation in a population, otherwise evolution would not occur.

Answer 2

Mutation and sexual reproduction are the two main ways that variation is created and maintained in a population. Mutations are random changes in the genetic code of an individual, which can lead to new traits that were not present before. Sexual reproduction involves the combination of genetic material from two individuals, which can create unique offspring with different traits than either parent. These two processes work together to increase the genetic diversity within a population, which is important for adapting to changes in the environment and for the survival of the species over time.

Step-by-step explanation: