Answer:
If reproduction continued without meiosis, the number of chromosomes in each generation would remain the same as in the parent generation. This is because meiosis is the process responsible for halving the chromosome number, leading to the formation of haploid gametes (sperm and egg cells) with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cells.
In humans, for example, if reproduction occurred without meiosis, each generation would continue to have the diploid chromosome number, which is typically 46 chromosomes.
The problem with this scenario is that without meiosis, there would be no genetic variation introduced through the reshuffling of genetic material during gamete formation. Meiosis is crucial for genetic diversity because it creates new combinations of alleles through processes such as crossing over and independent assortment.
Without genetic variation, populations would be highly susceptible to diseases, environmental changes, and other challenges. Additionally, evolution depends on genetic diversity for populations to adapt to changing environments over time. Therefore, continued reproduction without meiosis would likely lead to genetic stagnation and increased vulnerability to extinction
