Question

Why does sexual reproduction result in more genetic variation in a species than asexual reproduction?

Answer 1

The prevailing theory is that sexual reproduction, which requires two genders, allows genetic intermingling that overall is very good for both the individuals and the species as a whole. Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, is largely static, where each offspring is genetically identical to every other.

Answer 2

The correct answer will be crossing over (genetic recombination) in sexual reproduction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Reproduction in organisms takes place by two ways- sexual and asexual.

Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two gametes and is bi-parental while asexual reproduction is uni-parental so does not involve fusion of two gametes and produce "clones" which are exact copies of themselves.

The key feature which takes place in sexual reproduction is that gamete formed involve the genetic information from both parents so, offsprings inherit characters of both the parents and after fertilization exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes takes place through a process known as "crossing over" which takes place during prophase of meiosis I. This crossing over or genetic recombination results in formation of new combinations of alleles increasing genetic diversity.

Thus, crossing over (genetic recombination) in sexual reproduction is the correct answer.