Final answer:
Sexual reproduction promotes greater genetic diversity and fitness through the recombination of parental genes and sexual selection, leading to populations that are better adapted to their environments compared to asexual populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sexual reproduction is expected to yield fitter individuals faster than asexual reproduction because it allows for greater genetic diversity. This diversity stems from the recombination of genetic material from two parents, increasing the chances of beneficial trait combinations. Sexual selection further enhances fitness, as seen in the good genes hypothesis, where females choose mates with superior genetic qualities, leading to healthier offspring.
Importantly, sexual reproduction also provides a mechanism for beneficial mutations to spread more effectively and deleterious mutations to be purged from the gene pool. This continuous reshuffling of genes through sexual reproduction, including crossovers during prophase I and random assortment at metaphase I, creates a population with a wide range of phenotypes. Such diversity is crucial for the survival of a population, especially in changing environments where certain traits might confer a survival advantage.
Moreover, the biological advantage of sexually produced offspring is often seen in their enhanced ability to adapt, underpin diverse ecological niches, and show resilience against pathogens and environmental stressors. These advantages are not as prevalent in asexual lineages, where the only source of genetic variation is mutation.