Final answer:
Asexual reproduction produces genetically identical offspring, while sexual reproduction produces genetically different offspring.
Step-by-step explanation:
In asexual reproduction, genetically identical offspring are produced, while in sexual reproduction, offspring are genetically different from each other. The correct answer to fill in the blanks is: asexual; sexual.
Asexual reproduction is advantageous in stable environments because offspring are clones of the parent and are well adapted to that environment. On the contrary, sexual reproduction generates genetic diversity, which can be beneficial in unstable or changing environments, making it more likely that some offspring will survive despite changing conditions.
During sexual reproduction, two haploid gametes (sperm and egg) combine during fertilization to form a diploid zygote, which develops into a genetically unique offspring.
In contrast, asexual reproduction can occur through mechanisms like fission, budding, and fragmentation without the fusion of gametes, leading to offspring that are genetic copies of the parent.