Question
Which of the following increases genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms?
(2 points)
Independent assortment
Crossing over
Segregation
Mutatio
(2 points)
Independent assortment
Crossing over
Segregation
Mutatio
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
All four options listed contribute to genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms, but focusing on the main contributors, the following can be highlighted:
1. **Independent Assortment** - This is the process during meiosis where alleles of different genes segregate independently of one another into gametes, contributing to genetic variation.
2. **Crossing Over** - This process occurs during prophase I of meiosis, where homologous chromosomes exchange segments of DNA, leading to new combinations of alleles.
3. **Segregation** - This refers to the separation of alleles during gamete formation; while it is crucial for the inheritance of traits, it doesn't itself create new variation but rather ensures that the existing alleles are distributed.
4. **Mutation** - This introduces new genetic variants by changing the DNA sequence, which can lead to new alleles in a population.
To summarize, both **Independent Assortment** and **Crossing Over** are direct processes that increase genetic variation during sexual reproduction, while mutations also introduce variation but through different mechanisms. Therefore, if you had to choose two specific processes that directly increase genetic variation, they would be **Independent Assortment and Crossing Over**.
If you are looking for the most direct answer from your list, then **Crossing Over** and **Independent Assortment** are the best examples of processes that increase genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms.
1. **Independent Assortment** - This is the process during meiosis where alleles of different genes segregate independently of one another into gametes, contributing to genetic variation.
2. **Crossing Over** - This process occurs during prophase I of meiosis, where homologous chromosomes exchange segments of DNA, leading to new combinations of alleles.
3. **Segregation** - This refers to the separation of alleles during gamete formation; while it is crucial for the inheritance of traits, it doesn't itself create new variation but rather ensures that the existing alleles are distributed.
4. **Mutation** - This introduces new genetic variants by changing the DNA sequence, which can lead to new alleles in a population.
To summarize, both **Independent Assortment** and **Crossing Over** are direct processes that increase genetic variation during sexual reproduction, while mutations also introduce variation but through different mechanisms. Therefore, if you had to choose two specific processes that directly increase genetic variation, they would be **Independent Assortment and Crossing Over**.
If you are looking for the most direct answer from your list, then **Crossing Over** and **Independent Assortment** are the best examples of processes that increase genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms.