The two important features of sexual reproduction in higher organisms that create genetic diversity in offspring are

The correct answer is Meiosis and fertilization.

Key Points

• Meiosis and fertilization:
  • Meiosis is a type of cell division that occurs in the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells).
  • During meiosis, the chromosome number is reduced by half, leading to genetic diversity among the resulting gametes.
  • Fertilization then involves the fusion of these gametes, combining genetic material from two different individuals.
  • The combination of meiosis and fertilization results in offspring with unique combinations of genes, contributing significantly to genetic diversity.
  • Meiosis and fertilization are the two important features of sexual reproduction in higher organisms that create genetic diversity in offspring.

Additional Information

• Mitosis and fertilization:
  • Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same genetic information as the parent cell.
  • While mitosis plays a crucial role in the growth and repair of tissues, it does not contribute to genetic diversity.
  • Fertilization, on the other hand, involves the fusion of gametes (sperm and egg cells) and brings together genetic material from two parents.
  • However, since mitosis does not involve the creation of genetically diverse offspring.
• Mitosis and binary fission:
  • Mitosis, as mentioned earlier, is a process of cell division that results in genetically identical daughter cells.
  • Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction observed in prokaryotic organisms, where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
  • Both mitosis and binary fission do not directly contribute to genetic diversity in offspring.
• Meiosis and conjugation:
  • ​Conjugation is a process of genetic exchange in some single-celled organisms, such as bacteria.
  • While it involves the transfer of genetic material, it is not a feature of sexual reproduction in higher organisms.
  • Meiosis, on the other hand, is a key process in the formation of gametes, contributing to genetic diversity when followed by fertilization.