Which best explains how meiosis is a contributing factor to genetic variation within a species?

Question

Responses

Meiosis reduces the number of mutations within an organism.
Meiosis reduces the number of mutations within an organism.

Meiosis results in offspring that contain alleles from only one parent gamete.
Meiosis results in offspring that contain alleles from only one parent gamete.

Meiosis produces daughter cells that will contain identical chromosomes.
Meiosis produces daughter cells that will contain identical chromosomes.

Meiosis allows for crossing over of chromosomes, resulting in new gene combinations.

Answer 1

The response that best explains how meiosis is a contributing factor to genetic variation within a species is:

Meiosis allows for crossing over of chromosomes, resulting in new gene combinations.

This process, along with independent assortment of chromosomes and random fertilization, contributes significantly to genetic diversity among offspring.