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

Question

Responses

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

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

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

Answer 1

The statement 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 during meiosis, leads to genetic diversity in the offspring, as it creates new combinations of alleles that are different from those found in either parent.