# Explain why sexual reproduction, which relies on meiosis, produces offspring with more genetic variation than asexual reproduction.

> AQA A-Level Biology (7402) — 3.4.3 Mutation and Meiosis · Explain · 5 marks

> Some organisms, such as strawberry plants, can reproduce both sexually and asexually. The offspring produced by each method differ in their genetic variation.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Meiosis produces gametes / sex cells
2. Gametes produced by meiosis are genetically different from each other (genetic variation in gametes)
3. Fertilisation combines genetic material from two parents
4. Asexual reproduction uses mitosis / only one parent, so offspring are genetically identical to the parent
5. Mutations can introduce new alleles / new genetic variation, adding further variation in sexual reproduction

## Key terms

- [meiosis](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/meiosis)
- [asexual reproduction](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/asexual-reproduction)
- [genetic variation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/genetic-variation)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Biology (7402)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-sexual-reproduction-which-relies-61c61a6e) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.