Final answer:
A bicameral system is a legislative body with two separate chambers, like the U.S. Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is designed to provide checks and balances and to represent different segments of society through dual chambers.
Step-by-step explanation:
A legislative body with two separate chambers is referred to as a bicameral system. This type of legislature, exemplified by the United States Congress, is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate. The concept behind a bicameral legislature is to provide a system of checks and balances within the legislative branch, and to represent different segments of society.
The House of Representatives is designed to reflect the will of the people with a proportional representation based on state populations. Conversely, the Senate seeks to represent the states equally, without regard to population size.
The benefits of a bicameral legislature include the ability to represent both individual and state interests, fostering a comprehensive approach to law-making that considers a wide range of viewpoints. However, the bicameral system can sometimes lead to slower and more complex legislative processes compared to unicameral systems, which have only one legislative chamber but are thought to be more efficient.