Which of the following best explains the process of genetic variation during meiosis?

The process of genetic variation during meiosis is best explained by the phenomenon where homologous chromosomes segregate and undergo recombination. During meiosis, particularly in the prophase I stage, homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of genetic material in a process known as crossing over. This recombination creates new combinations of alleles, which increases genetic diversity in the resulting gametes. When these gametes fuse during fertilization, the genetic variation that has been introduced can lead to offspring with different traits than their parents.

While genes are duplicated during DNA replication, which is essential for cell division, this process itself does not directly contribute to genetic variation. Although transposons can lead to mutations, these changes are not a primary means of producing the genetic variation typically discussed in the context of meiosis. Additionally, the assertion that only dominant alleles are passed to offspring is misleading because both dominant and recessive alleles can be inherited, affecting the expression of traits in the next generation.