AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A disadvantage is that sexual reproduction takes longer than asexual reproduction. A mate must be found, the egg must be fertilised by sperm, and then the offspring develop. The benefit of introducing genetic variation into the species, however, outweighs this disadvantage.

Detailed explanation-2: -Sexual reproduction requires exponentially more energy than asexual reproduction. Nevertheless, sexual reproduction has two major advantages over asexual reproduction: it results in genetic diversity in offspring, and it eliminates harmful mutations.

Detailed explanation-3: -Although sexual populations may evolve faster than asexual ones, it is still true that sexual individuals reproduce more slowly than asexual individuals; asexuality, once it has arisen, will tend to take over sexual groups.