Question

Sexual reproduction can speed the spread of adaptations in a population because?

1) Males and females must travel to locale each other, thereby they spread their genes more broadly.
2) Sexually transmitted diseases reduce fitness of individuals.
3) Recombination can lead to novel genotypes.
4) Beneficial mutations can be combined and harmful mutations can be purged.
5) Both a and b are correct.
6) Both c and d are correct.

Answer 1

Sexual reproduction can speed the spread of adaptations in a population because it results in offspring with diverse phenotypes, which may enhance survival of a population in a changing environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sexual reproduction can speed the spread of adaptations in a population because it results in offspring with diverse phenotypes, which may enhance survival of a population in a changing environment. During sexual reproduction, the genetic material of two individuals is combined to produce genetically diverse offspring that differ from their parents. The genetic diversity of sexually produced offspring is thought to give species a better chance of surviving in an unpredictable or changing environment.