In a specimen-based viva, the examiner describes this case: a Paramecium population increases by cell division but occasionally exchanges genetic material between paired individuals. Choose the concept that fits it best.

Paramecium reproduces asexually by transverse binary fission and may exchange genetic material during conjugation. Conjugation increases genetic variation but does not directly increase population number. This MCQ belongs to the Paramecium topic in Animal Diversity-I and is written to test concept understanding rather than memorized wording.