What Makes Sexually Reproduced Offspring Genetically Different from Their Parents

Question

What makes sexually reproduced offspring genetically different from their parents?
A)genetic recombination during meiosis
B)genetic recombination during mitosis
C)crossing over during mitosis
D)mutation immediately after fusion of egg and sperm
E)Sexual reproduction does not produce offspring that are genetically different from their parents.

Accepted Answer

Genetic recombination during meiosis shuffles the genetic material from the two parents, leading to genetic variation in the offspring. This includes the crossing over of homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis, and the independent assortment of chromosomes during metaphase I.