Question

in addition to what occurs during meiosis to produce billions of genetically distinct gametes, another process that increases genetic variation is:

the randomness of which sperm fuses with which egg during fertilization

the number of sperm and egg cells that die before fertilization

crossing over during meiosis ii

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The random fusion of sperm and egg (fertilization) combines different genetic materials from parents, increasing genetic variation as each sperm and egg has unique genetics from meiosis.
2. Analyze the second option: The number of gametes dying before fertilization does not introduce new genetic combinations or variation; it just reduces the number of available gametes.
3. Analyze the third option: Crossing over occurs during meiosis I (prophase I), not meiosis II. So this option is incorrect.

So the correct process that increases genetic variation (in addition to meiosis - related events) is the randomness of fertilization.

Answer:

the randomness of which sperm fuses with which egg during fertilization