Sexual reproduction leads to

Options

A. Recombination
B. Parthenogenesis
C. Apomixes
D. Polyploidy

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Sexual Reproduction**: Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes, leading to the formation of a zygote. This process is essential for genetic diversity in organisms.

2. **Role of Meiosis**: The formation of gametes occurs through meiosis, a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half. This process is crucial for maintaining the species' chromosome number across generations.

3. **Crossover Event**: During meiosis, particularly in the pachytene stage, homologous chromosomes undergo a crossover event. This is where segments of DNA are exchanged between maternal and paternal chromosomes.

4. **Genetic Variation**: The crossover event results in genetic recombination, which introduces variation among offspring. This variation is vital for evolution and adaptation in changing environments.

5. **Definition of Recombination**: The process of genetic material exchange during meiosis is referred to as recombination. The offspring resulting from this process are known as recombinants, which exhibit different traits than their parents.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, sexual reproduction leads to recombination, which is the correct answer to the question posed.

**Final Answer**: Sexual reproduction leads to **recombination**.

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