Final answer:
Sexual reproduction offers the evolutionary advantage of greater variation and genetic diversity in offspring, increasing the chance of survival in changing environments, compared to the genetic clones produced by asexual reproduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evolutionary advantage of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction is that it results in greater variation in the offspring. This genetic diversity provides populations with a higher chance of survival in changing environments because it increases the likelihood that some individuals will have traits favorable for new challenges. With asexual reproduction, since the offspring are clones of the parent, there is less genetic variation, which could be detrimental if environmental conditions change and those genetic traits are no longer advantageous.
Another factor to consider is that sexual reproduction, while not producing offspring as rapidly as asexual reproduction, ensures the shuffling of genes which can lead to new combinations that may be more advantageous than the current traits. Although asexual populations might have the ability to grow more quickly since every individual can reproduce and there's no need for finding a mate, this rapid growth might not be beneficial in the long term if it leads to reduced adaptability.