What process involves the combination of genetic material from two parents?

The process that involves the combination of genetic material from two parents is sexual reproduction. In this type of reproduction, offspring are produced by the fusion of gametes—typically sperm and eggs—contributing genetic information from both parents. This results in offspring that have a unique combination of genes, which enhances genetic diversity within a population.

Sexual reproduction plays a crucial role in evolution and adaptation, as the mixing of genetic material introduces new traits and variations that can be subject to natural selection. This is in contrast to asexual reproduction, where a single organism can produce offspring that are genetically identical to itself, thus not combining genetic material from two distinct sources. Gene cloning refers to producing copies of specific genes or segments of DNA, while cell division pertains to the process by which a single cell divides into two new cells, which does not inherently involve genetic contribution from a parent.