What process is important for genetic variety in populations?

Meiosis is the process that generates genetic variety in populations through sexual reproduction. During meiosis, which occurs in the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs), homologous chromosomes undergo recombination and independent assortment. This leads to the production of gametes that have a unique combination of alleles, enhancing genetic diversity when fertilization occurs.

The genetic variation created by meiosis is crucial for evolution and adaptation, as it allows populations to respond to changing environments and reduces the likelihood of genetic diseases. Through gamete fusion during fertilization, the genetic material contributed by two parents results in offspring that are genetically distinct from both parents and from each other, further increasing diversity in the population.

While fertilization also contributes to genetic variety, it is essentially the culmination of the variety generated by meiosis rather than the source of it. Binary fission and asexual reproduction do not lead to genetic variety because they produce clones of the parent organism, lacking the genetic reshuffling that meiosis and subsequent fertilization ensure.