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How do organisms with haploid-dominant life cycles ensure continued genetic diversification in offspring without using a meiotic process to make gametes?

a) Through mitotic division
b) Via asexual reproduction
c) By utilizing mutation and genetic recombination
d) Employing conjugation for genetic exchange

User Jeyko
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Final answer:

Organisms with haploid-dominant life cycles rely on mutation and genetic recombination for genetic diversification in their offspring, as they do not use meiosis for gamete production like diploid-dominant organisms. Genetic variation is introduced via random mutations during DNA replication and recombination through processes like conjugation (Options C and D).

Step-by-step explanation:

Organisms with haploid-dominant life cycles, such as fungi, have a predominance of haploid stages during their life cycle.

To ensure continued genetic diversification in their offspring without using meiosis to produce gametes, these organisms make use of mutation and genetic recombination as primary mechanisms.

Mutation introduces new genetic variations randomly during DNA replication, which can result in new traits in progeny.

Genetic recombination can occur via processes such as transformation, transduction, and bacterial conjugation in single-celled organisms, leading to a shuffling of genetic material and increased diversity.

Due to a predominant haploid stage in their life cycles, these organisms do not rely on meiosis and fertilization to the same extent as diploid-dominant organisms to create genetic diversity.

Without the advantage of sexual reproduction that meiosis and the mixing genetic material from two parents offer, haploid-dominant organisms depend on mitotic division to replicate and pass on genetic information.

Though the offspring produced from this process are clones of the parent and genetic identicals, the processes above of mutation and genetic recombination allow for genetic variation within the population.

Hence, the correct answers are Options C and D.

User Dan Jay
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