Final answer:
The Red Queen hypothesis explains that genetic variation from sexual reproduction allows species to adapt and co-evolve, maintaining their place in the ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Red Queen hypothesis, first proposed by Leigh Van Valen in 1973, suggests that sexual reproduction is beneficial for species because it provides genetic variation which is necessary for populations to adapt and co-evolve in the ever-changing environment of competing species, predators, and parasites. This continuous adaptation is likened to the Red Queen's race, where species must keep evolving just to maintain their place in the ecosystem.
The correct answer to the student's question, with reference to the Red Queen hypothesis, is: A) genetic variation in offspring generated through sex is advantageous in a changing environment. This genetic variation is essential as it allows species to keep up with the co-evolving organisms around them, ensuring their survival and preventing them from being outcompeted.