173k views
5 votes
What are the evolutionary advantages for an organism to reproduce both asexually and sexually?

a) Asexual reproduction ensures quick propagation, while sexual reproduction enhances genetic diversity.
b) Asexual reproduction allows for diverse offspring, while sexual reproduction ensures identical genetic copies.
c) Both types of reproduction equally enhance genetic variation.
d) Asexual reproduction guarantees survival in harsh conditions, while sexual reproduction maintains population size.

User Urs
by
9.0k points

1 Answer

0 votes

Final answer:

Asexual reproduction ensures quick propagation and is effective in stable environments, while sexual reproduction enhances genetic diversity and can give a population greater resilience in changing conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Organisms that can reproduce both asexually and sexually gain significant evolutionary advantages. Asexual reproduction allows for the quick propagation of a species since a single individual can reproduce without the need for a partner, producing genetically identical offspring. This strategy is particularly effective in stable environments where a successful genotype can proliferate rapidly without the need for genetic variation. Conversely, sexual reproduction is beneficial because it results in genetic diversity, which can give a population greater resilience in the face of environmental changes or disease, as diversified gene pools may harbor a subset of individuals with adaptive traits. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is: a) Asexual reproduction ensures quick propagation, while sexual reproduction enhances genetic diversity.

User CuriousPan
by
8.3k points