How does meiosis, sexual reproduction and mutation contributes to variation within a species?

Sarah G: How does meiosis, sexual reproduction and mutation contributes to variation within a species?
How does meiosis, sexual reproduction and mutation contributes to variation within a species?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Danny K
DNA

Answer by Asst Prof
Meiosis- results in mixing of alleles as a result of crossing-over
Sexual reproduction- mixes the genetic material of 2 indivuduals
Mutation- randomly changes genetic material directly

Answer by joel
in humans we all carry two chromozomes, which both contain different genes IMPORTANT *these genes result in different characteristics*. in males xy in femals xx, in sexual reproduction these are mixed and theres these things called punnet squares which help explain it it goes like this
XY
X
X
if u can imagine a sqaure divided into 4 under those (probably draw it out) and as u have 2 chromosomes one from ure dad one from ure mum (dad is on top) it means u can have either X(dad)-X(mum),
X(dad)-X(bottom mum), Y(dad)-X(mum), and Y(dad)-X(bottom mum) because of this, you have a mixture of chromosomes from ure mum and dad resulting in a mixture of characteristics, in asexual reproduction you would get the exact same chromosomes as ure mother(or whatever).

of course there has to be variation to start with and this can be provided by mutation, which is more likely with sexual reproduction.

p.s the term alleles means different genes