Question

Which statement best describes the significance of random assortment in sexually reproducing organisms?

A) Random assortment ensures that each offspring receives a unique combination of genes from its parents, increasing genetic diversity within a population.
B) Random assortment allows for the transmission of advantageous traits from one generation to the next, promoting the survival and adaptation of a species.
C) Random assortment prevents the accumulation of harmful mutations within a population, maintaining the overall health and fitness of the species.
D) Random assortment facilitates the process of natural selection by providing a wide range of genetic variations for environmental pressures to act upon.

Answer 1

Random assortment during meiosis contributes to genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms, providing a greater range of traits for natural selection to act upon, and thereby offering evolutionary advantages.

Step-by-step explanation:

The significance of random assortment in sexually reproducing organisms can be best described by its role in generating genetic diversity. During meiosis, which precedes sexual reproduction, chromosomes are distributed randomly into gametes. This process, along with crossing-over, ensures that each gamete—and consequently each offspring—contains a unique set of genetic instructions.

This variation is critical because it provides a wide range of genetic combinations upon which environmental pressures and natural selection can act. This diversity enhances the adaptability and survival of a population in the face of changing environments, giving sexually reproducing species an evolutionary advantage over asexually reproducing ones.