What involves passing traits from two parents to the next generation?

Sexual reproduction involves the combination of genetic material from two parents, leading to offspring that inherit traits from both. This process typically involves the fusion of gametes—sperm and egg in animals—each contributing half of the genetic information needed to form a new organism. The result is genetic variation in the offspring, which is crucial for evolution and adaptation in changing environments.

In contrast, asexual reproduction occurs when an organism replicates itself without the involvement of gametes, producing clones or genetically identical offspring. Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction seen mostly in single-celled organisms, such as bacteria, where a single cell divides into two. Cell division refers generally to the process by which a cell divides into two or more cells and can occur in both asexual and sexual reproduction contexts, but it does not specifically refer to the passing of traits from parents to offspring. Therefore, the most accurate answer regarding the inheritance of traits from both parents is sexual reproduction.