Question

Which process is absolutely necessary for sexual reproduction to occur in a life cycle, but is not necessarily required for organisms that only reproduce asexually?

Answer 1

Meiosis

Step-by-step explanation:

All living organisms reproduce i.e. replicate themselves by producing young ones. However, they either do this sexually or asexually. Asexual reproduction involves the contribution of only one of the parent while sexual reproduction involves the two parent's contribution.

In sexual reproduction, a process of gamete formation called MEIOSIS occurs whereby the parental cell produces reproductive daughter cells that have a reduced number of chromosome (by half). The male and female gamete unites in sexual-reproducing organisms to form the offsprings.

Since only one parent is needed in asexual reproduction, there is no need for formation of gametes, hence, meiosis (a division only for reproductive cells) does not occur. The parent simply divides into its progeny.