Which statement below correctly describes a component of sexual reproduction?(1 point)
Responses
Only dominant alleles are passed to offspring.
Only dominant alleles are passed to offspring.
One parent passes down the majority of genes an offspring will receive.
One parent passes down the majority of genes an offspring will receive.
Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
Each parent has two alleles and they pass both down to their offspring.
Each parent has two alleles and they pass both down to their offspring.
Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
The correct statement that describes a component of sexual reproduction is: "Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring."
To understand why this statement is correct, we need to understand the basics of sexual reproduction. In sexual reproduction, organisms reproduce by combining their genetic material through the process of meiosis. Meiosis is a type of cell division that results in the production of gametes (sex cells) with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cells.
In humans, for example, each parent has two alleles (different forms of a gene) for each trait they possess. These alleles are located on homologous pairs of chromosomes. During meiosis, the homologous pairs separate, and only one of the two alleles per trait is passed on to each gamete. This means that each parent will pass down one allele per trait to their offspring.
When the two gametes (one from each parent) combine during fertilization, the offspring receives one allele from each parent. This combination of alleles determines the genetic traits and characteristics of the offspring.
Therefore, the statement "Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring" accurately describes a component of sexual reproduction.