Question

What advantage do organisms that reproduce sexually have over organisms that reproduce asexually? What advantage do organisms that reproduce sexually have over organisms that reproduce asexually? Their offspring may be more adaptable to changes in the environment. Their offspring can exist in both haploid and diploid stages. Their offspring are bigger and better able to reproduce. Their offspring may have more mutations.

Answer 1

Sexual reproduction provides advantages over asexual reproduction by creating genetic diversity, which can improve evolutionary fitness in changing environments. However, it requires finding mates and typically half the population (females) bearing the young, resulting in a potential slower population growth rate compared to asexual reproduction, where every individual can reproduce.

Step-by-step explanation:

Organisms that reproduce sexually have a distinct advantage over those that reproduce asexually when it comes to genetic diversity. The combination of genetic materials from two parents during sexual reproduction introduces variation among offspring. This diversity provides a buffer against environmental changes, as some individuals may possess traits that allow them to survive and adapt to new conditions. Thus, sexual reproduction enhances the evolutionary fitness of a species.

However, sexual reproduction does come with disadvantages. It typically requires finding a mate, which consumes energy and time that could be used for producing more offspring. In addition, since only females typically bear the young, the potential growth rate of a population can be lower compared to asexually reproducing populations where every individual is capable of reproduction.

Mutations play a critical role in both types of reproduction. Asexual reproduction relies entirely on mutations for any genetic variation within the population, while sexual reproduction also involves recombination and independent assortment to shuffle these mutations and produce new combinations of genes.

Answer 2

The correct answer is-Their offspring may be more adaptable to changes in the environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The organisms who reproduce asexually produce identically same offsprings therefore the chances of variation in asexual reproduction is less. Mutation is the only way by which the asexual organism can get variation in its gene.

To adapt the changing environment condition variation is required and in sexual reproduction, there are more chances of variation than in asexual reproduction because of random fertilization between two different gametes, independent assortment of gene and crossing over between chromosomes during gamete formation.

So the correct answer is - Their offspring may be more adaptable to changes in the environment.