Question

The product of sexual reproduction generally generates
A. Longer viability of seeds.
B. Prolonged dormancy.
C. New genetic combination leading to variation.
D. Large biomass.

Answer 1

Hint: Reproduction is simply the development of new offspring in plants or animals, which can be achieved by either sexual or asexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction is the mechanism in which, by a process called fertilization, male and female gametes combine to form a zygote.

Complete answer: The development of offspring with combinations of characteristics that vary from those present in either parent is genetic recombination. In eukaryotes, genetic recombination while meiosis is occurring can lead to a new collection of genetic information through sexual reproduction that can be passed on from the parents to the offspring through inheritance. Genetic variation is beneficial because, in a changing climate, it helps certain individuals and, thus, a population to survive. The creation of haploid gametes requires sexual reproduction. Gametes are formed by meiosis, a specialized form of cell division. A special form of division is the meiosis since it is a reductional division and it requires crossing over. Crossing over includes the sharing of chromosomal segments of a homologous chromosome pair between non-sister chromatids. New genetic combinations are the product of crossing over. Every time crossing over happens, the rearrangement of genetic material creates new combinations, thereby leading to the generation of variations in a population that reproduces sexually.
The remaining options which are Longer viability of seeds, prolonged dormancy and large biomass are not linked to sexual reproduction since they are characteristic features and depend on various factors like plant’s nutrient intake, condition around, etc.
Hence, the correct answer is option C, i.e., New genetic combination leading to variation.

Note: Sexual reproduction started combining genes around 1.3 billion years ago and paved the way for the great diversity that we see today. On this timeline, it is incredibly necessary because it encourages species to start merging genes, enabling the next generation to do better than its ancestors, raising the probability of survival.