How does meiosis affect the variation in the offspring of this cross?

Question

a
Meiosis causes alleles to assort in pairs, creating less variety of traits in the offspring.
b
Meiosis causes alleles to assort in pairs, creating a greater variety of traits in the offspring.
c
Meiosis causes alleles to assort independently, creating less variety of traits in the offspring.
d
Meiosis causes alleles to assort independently, creating a greater variety of traits in the offspring.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

d - Meiosis causes alleles to assort independently, creating a greater variety of traits in the offspring.

During meiosis, the process by which gametes (sperm and eggs) are formed, homologous chromosomes are separated and assorted independently into different gametes. This independent assortment, along with crossing over during prophase I, leads to genetic variation among the resulting offspring. Thus, mixing of alleles from each parent contributes to increased diversity in traits among the offspring.