What kind of reproduction results in offspring that are similar but genetically different from their parents?

Sexual reproduction results in offspring that are similar but genetically different from their parents due to the combination of genetic material from two distinct parents. In this process, gametes (sperm and egg cells) come together during fertilization, contributing half of the genetic information from each parent. This mixing of genetic traits leads to increased variability in the offspring, allowing for unique combinations of traits that may enhance survival and adaptability in changing environments.

In contrast, asexual reproduction produces offspring that are genetically identical clones of the parent organism. Methods such as binary fission (common in single-celled organisms) and cloning involve replicating the parent's genetic material without the introduction of genetic variance, resulting in offspring that lack the genetic diversity observed in sexually reproduced organisms. This genetic similarity in asexual reproduction can limit adaptability to environmental changes since the offspring do not inherit different combinations of genes from two parents.