Final answer:
Variation in insect color comes from both mutation, which changes DNA, and sexual reproduction, which combines genes from two parents. These processes contribute to the genetic diversity, including color variations, within insect populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sources of variation in insect color include both mutation and sexual reproduction. Mutation leads to changes in DNA that can result in new traits or variations in existing traits, such as insect color. Sexual reproduction combines genetic material from two parents, leading to offspring with new combinations of genes and traits. Both processes contribute to the genetic diversity within a population, which can manifest as morphological differences including variations in color.
To elaborate, mutation is the ultimate source of new alleles in any population, creating the potential for insects to display a different color than their peers. Meanwhile, sexual reproduction results in genetic recombination, where genes from each parent come together in unique ways, further contributing to a population’s variation. Although mutation is a random process, sexual reproduction involves mechanisms like crossing over during meiosis, the random assortment of chromosomes, and the fusion of egg and sperm, which are not entirely random.
Thus, the correct answer to the student's question is 'c. Both a and b,' as both mutation and sexual reproduction are sources of variation in insect color.