Question

Sea stars (starfish) can reproduce asexually by fragmentation if their arms are cut off, or sexually by releasing sperm and eggs into the water. Which of these is the major difference between asexual and sexual reproduction in sea stars?

A) The chromosome number is reduced in sea stars during asexual reproduction.
B) The number of chromosomes is increased in sea stars during sexual reproduction.
C) The appearance of the sea stars is changed as a result of asexual reproduction.
D) There is genetic variation in the sea stars as a result of sexual reproduction.

Answer 1

D)

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Answer;

D) There is genetic variation in the sea stars as a result of sexual reproduction.

Explanation;

• Asexual reproduction is a type of reproduction which only involves one organism or parent, where offspring arise from it.
• Sexual reproduction is a type of reproduction which involves two parents, female and male, where male offers the male gamete and female offers the female gamete , which fuses to form a zygote that develops to an offspring.
• In sexual reproduction, there is genetic variation as a result of cross over meiosis and exchange of genetic material from two parents, while in asexual reproduction the offspring are completely identical or is a replica of the parent organism, in terms of physical appearance and the number of chromosomes.