Question

Give reason: (i) Variations arising in sexually-reproducing organisms.

Answer 1

Variations: The variations are the differences in the characteristics or the traits of individuals of the same species.

Sexual reproduction:

• Sexual reproduction includes the fusion of the gametes.
• The gametes fuse to form the offspring. The gametes are formed by the meiotic divisions in the parents.
• Meiosis causes the reshuffling of the genes. This creates variations in the gametes of the parents.
• The child who receives the gametes receives these variations as well. This makes a child different from the parent/s.
• More variations are observed in sexual reproduction.
• Variations also arise due to the errors that can occur during the replication of the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). This is usually the reason for variations in the asexually-reproducing organisms where there is no gamete formation.