AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -There is no way, in the course of normal life, to stop mutations from occuring. According to the proposed theory, sexual reproduction brings together then removes the bad mutations, so the population as a whole will retain fewer mutations.

Detailed explanation-2: -Sexual reproduction produces new combinations of genes, a process that is thought to prevent the accumulation of harmful mutations. A study in Nature Genetics now provides the first experimental evidence that recombining genes stops harmful mutations from piling up in humans.

Detailed explanation-3: -Sexual reproduction has the potential to produce tremendous genetic variation in offspring. This variation is due to independent assortment and crossing-over during meiosis, and random union of gametes during fertilization.

Detailed explanation-4: -Because more DNA changes are harmful than are beneficial, negative selection plays an important role in maintaining the long-term stability of biological structures by removing deleterious mutations. Thus, negative selection is sometimes also called purifying selection or background selection.

Detailed explanation-5: -The major disadvantages of asexual reproduction are: Lack of diversity. Since the offsprings are genetically identical to the parent they are more susceptible to the same diseases and nutrient deficiencies as the parent. All the negative mutations persist for generations.