Question

Muller's ratchet is the idea that ________ accumulate in asexual populations. In such a situation sex would be beneficial because ___________.

1) deleterious mutations; mutation free genotypes can be recreated through recombination
2) deleterious mutations; it provides protection against parasitism
3) deleterious mutations; more offspring would be produced and thus some are likely to survive
4) beneficial mutations; it would rapidly bring together beneficial mutations from different individuals
5) beneficial mutations; it would increase genetic diversity

Answer 1

Muller's ratchet suggests that deleterious mutations accumulate in asexual populations while sexual reproduction can recreate mutation-free genotypes through recombination. This genetic variation is crucial for adapting to environmental challenges and is part of why sexual reproduction is evolutionarily advantageous.

Step-by-step explanation:

Muller's ratchet is the idea that deleterious mutations accumulate in asexual populations. In such a situation sex would be beneficial because mutation free genotypes can be recreated through recombination. This means that, even though mutations occur in all types of reproduction, the genetic variation provided by sexual reproduction allows for the combination of parental genes in offspring, potentially eliminating harmful mutations and enhancing the survival of the population.

Sexual reproduction provides a significant evolutionary advantage. While it produces fewer offspring compared to asexual reproduction, the genetic diversity it offers allows populations to adapt to changing environments and challenges such as predator-prey dynamics and disease resistance. This aligns with the Red Queen Hypothesis, which suggests that constant variation is necessary for a species to maintain its place in the ecosystem, despite seemingly stable conditions.