What is bicameralism in the US?

This question would usually take the form of a short answer essay question. The best way to understand this would be through the DEI format. (Define, Explain, Implication)
Define:
Bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative chambers.Bicameral legislatures tend to require a majority to pass legislation. History: Connecticut Compromise 1787. The Founding Fathers invented a new rationale for bicameralism in which the upper house would have states represented equally and the lower house would have them represented by the population.
Explain:
Bicameralism exerts a steadying and stabilising influence on the legislative process, through checks and balances, therefore preventing tyranny.Due to the different representative nature of the two houses some argue that the House represents the nation at large while the Senate gives voice to the specific interests of states.However, while the Senate offers equality of representation in state terms, it could be seen as over-representing the smaller states.Not until 1973 that the 17th Amendment required the Senate to be elected.X-ref to UK: different to parliamentary system - but the upper house is still unelected.House elected every 2 years, Senate elected every 6 years.Shorter terms produce more electoral responsiveness, while longer ones for the Senate allow for long-term policy consideration, acting against the fickle of the masses. However - possibility of gridlockShorter terms may encourage the use of pork-barreling Bicameralism has allowed for there to be different functions - e.g the House initiate money bills - Senate conformation of appointments. 
Implication:
Critics believe that bicameralism makes meaningful political reforms more difficult to achieve and increases the risk of gridlock (particularly in cases where both chambers have similar powers) While proponents argue the merits of the ‘checks and balances’ provided by the bicameral model, which they believe help prevent the passage into law of ill-considered legislation