EVERYDAY SCIENCE

SCIENCE

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
What is an advantage of sexual reproduction?
A
Allows genetic variation
B
Only needs one parent
C
Happens very quickly
D
Offspring are exact copies of parent
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -As genetic material is exchanged in sexual reproduction, the genetic content of the offspring is different from the parent. Every time, the genetic content of the offspring will be different. As a result, there is no genetic consistency; rather, sexual reproduction produces variation.

Detailed explanation-2: -Sexual reproduction results in infinite possibilities of genetic variation. In other words, sexual reproduction results in offspring that are genetically unique. It is this variation that is the essence of evolution. Without genetic differences among individuals, “survival of the fittest” would not be likely.

Detailed explanation-3: -It strengthens the ability of species and populations to resist diseases, pests, changes in climate and other stresses. Gene variations underpin their capacity to evolve and their flexibility to adapt.

Detailed explanation-4: -Sexually reproducing organisms have a second way to increase variation: recombination. This system works in living things where genes come in pairs. Every reproductive cell (sperm or egg) that a parent makes is unique, since it randomly gets one allele from the pair.

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