Which type of reproduction involves combining genetic material from two parents?

Sexual reproduction is the process that involves the combination of genetic material from two distinct parents, resulting in offspring that inherit traits from both. This method enhances genetic diversity, allowing for a greater variety of traits within a population. This increased genetic variation is advantageous for adaptation and evolution, as it can lead to individuals that better survive in changing environments.

In contrast, asexual reproduction involves only one parent and does not combine genetic material, leading to offspring that are clones of the parent. Clonal reproduction is a specific type of asexual reproduction where an organism reproduces by creating genetically identical copies. Self-fertilization, while it does involve the union of gametes that carry genetic information, typically involves one organism, making it a form of sexual reproduction but not the definition that requires two distinct parents. Thus, sexual reproduction is the correct choice for processes involving two parental genetic contributions.