Final answer:
In a food shortage, sexual reproduction is beneficial due to the genetic variation it provides, which can increase the chances of offspring survival in stressful conditions. Asexual reproduction's fast population growth is offset by the lack of this crucial genetic diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a food shortage, sexual reproduction can offer a significant evolutionary advantage over asexual reproduction. Despite the fact that asexual reproduction allows for rapid population growth, as all individuals are capable of reproduction, the lack of genetic diversity can be a major drawback in changing environments. In times of food scarcity, sexually reproducing organisms benefit from genetic variation, which provides a greater likelihood that some offspring will possess traits that make them better adapted to the new challenging condition.
Genetic variation is the key to the survival of a population under stress. It is introduced through mutations and during the process of meiosis, where crossovers during prophase I and random assortment at metaphase I create new genetic combinations. This variation is crucial when environmental conditions change, such as in a food shortage, because it increases the chance that some individuals within a population will have adaptations that allow them to survive and reproduce.