Final answer:
Dioecy, asynchronous male and female functions, and self-incompatibility are mechanisms that encourage outcrossing, increasing genetic diversity by preventing self-fertilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dioecy, asynchronous male and female function, and self-incompatibility are mechanisms that plants and some animals use to promote outcrossing, which is when two different individuals contribute genetic material to offspring. Dioecy refers to species having distinct male and female individuals, asynchronous male and female function refers to the maturation of reproductive organs at different times to prevent self-fertilization, and self-incompatibility is a genetic mechanism that prevents self-fertilization and encourages genetic diversity.
These mechanisms offer significant advantages for sexual reproduction. Outcrossing increases genetic diversity, giving populations a better chance to adapt to environmental changes and stress conditions. It contrasts with self-fertilization, where offspring are genetically identical to the parent, limiting adaptability. Hence, the answer to the question is c. outcrossing.