Question

Muller's ratchet suggests that: (choose all that apply)

1) deleterious mutations accumulate faster in asexual populations
2) deleterious mutations accumulate faster in sexual populations
3) sex is beneficial because recombination can break up deleterious mutations
4) sex is beneficial because more offspring would be produced and thus some are more likely to survive
5) beneficial mutations; it would increase genetic diversity

Answer 1

Muller's ratchet suggests that deleterious mutations accumulate faster in asexual populations, while sex is beneficial in breaking up these mutations and producing more offspring. The correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

Muller's ratchet suggests that:

1. Deleterious mutations accumulate faster in asexual populations. In asexual reproduction, there is no recombination or exchange of genetic material, so harmful mutations cannot be removed. Over time, these mutations can accumulate and lead to decreased fitness.
2. Sex is beneficial because recombination can break up deleterious mutations. In sexual reproduction, recombination and genetic exchange occur, allowing for the removal or masking of harmful mutations, resulting in improved fitness.
3. Sex is beneficial because more offspring would be produced and thus some are more likely to survive. Sexual reproduction allows for increased genetic diversity, which can provide an advantage in changing environments and increase the likelihood of some offspring surviving.

Muller's ratchet indicates that asexual populations accumulate harmful mutations faster since they cannot benefit from the genetic reshuffling seen in sexual reproduction, which helps eliminate such mutations and maintain genetic diversity.

Muller's ratchet suggests that deleterious mutations accumulate faster in asexual populations because they lack the genetic reshuffling provided by sexual reproduction. This concept explains why sex is beneficial to populations; through recombination, sex can break up deleterious mutations, maintaining genetic diversity and enhancing population survival in changing environments. Sexual reproduction combines alleles in new ways, creating diverse phenotypes that can adapt to various challenges, whereas asexual reproduction only generates variation through mutations, which can lead to an accumulation of harmful mutations.

Deleterious Mutations and Asexual Populations

In asexual populations, all mutations are passed down to the next generation, leading to the accumulation of harmful genetic changes. This is the basis of Muller's ratchet, which affects the evolvability and adaptability of asexual populations.

Advantages of Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction allows for genetic recombination, which can eliminate deleterious mutations and increase the likelihood of producing offspring with beneficial traits. This genetic reshuffling is crucial for the long-term survival and adaptability of species, making sexual reproduction a common strategy despite the lower offspring number compared to asexual reproduction.