What does a bicameral legislature consist of?

A bicameral legislature is one that is composed of two separate chambers or houses. This structure is designed to allow for a more thorough debate and consideration of legislation, as each house can review, amend, and vote on proposed laws independently. In the context of the United States, the Congress is a prime example of a bicameral legislature; it consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each chamber has distinct responsibilities, powers, and methods of representation, which contribute to a system of checks and balances within the legislative process.

The arrangement of two houses can help prevent hasty decisions and ensure that a wider array of viewpoints is considered when creating laws. In contrast, a unicameral legislature consists of only one legislative house, which limits the depth of deliberation. The options related to the judicial branch or the executive and legislative branches are not applicable since they refer to different branches of government rather than the structure of the legislature itself.