Final answer:
Parthenogenesis is an asexual reproductive process where an egg develops into an individual without fertilization. It reduces genetic variation over time as offspring are genetic clones of the mother, barring rare mutations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction where an egg develops into an individual without being fertilized, and is often observed in certain invertebrates and some vertebrates. This reproductive method reduces genetic variation over time since the offspring are essentially clones of the mother, with very few genetic differences that may arise from mutations. Parthenogenesis can occur in various modes, resulting in either haploid or diploid offspring depending on the species and the reproductive mechanism involved.