Final answer:
Sexually reproducing organisms have a lower risk of extinction compared to asexually reproducing organisms due to the genetic diversity they can generate, which provides a greater ability to adapt to changing environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Organisms that produce sexually have a better possibility that their type won't die out compared to organisms that reproduce asexually. This is because sexual reproduction allows for genetic diversity by mixing different mutations during the formation of germ cells. Mutations are the ultimate source of variation for both asexual and sexual organisms, but in sexual reproduction, these mutations can be reshuffled from one generation to the next, which is not possible in asexual reproduction. Thus, in rapidly changing or unpredictable environments, sexually reproducing populations tend to have a higher chance of survival and can leave more descendants than asexually reproducing populations.
While asexual reproduction can be advantageous in stable environments due to rapid population growth, sexual reproduction has the evolutionary edge when it comes to dealing with environmental changes. The reshuffling of genes through meiosis and fertilization in sexual reproduction leads to offspring with various trait combinations, some of which may confer an advantage under new or altered conditions. Hence, sexually reproducing species can adapt more readily, which reduces the risk of extinction when faced with challenges such as new predators, diseases, or climate shifts.