Question 10:
Explain how sexual reproduction gives rise to more viable variations than asexual
reproduction. How does this affect the evolution of those organisms that reproduce
sexually?
Answer:
In sexual reproduction, two individuals having different variations combine their DNA
to give rise to a new individual. Therefore, sexual reproduction allows more variations,
whereas in asexual reproduction, chance variations can only occur when the copying
of DNA is not accurate.
Additionally, asexual reproduction allows very less variations because if there are
more variations, then the resultant DNA will not be able to survive inside the inher-
ited cellular apparatus.
However, in sexual reproduction, more variations are allowed and the resultant DNA
is also able to survive, thus making the variations viable.
Variation and Evolution: Variants help the species to survive in all the conditions.
Environmental conditions such as heat, light, pests, and food availability can change
suddenly at only one place. At that time, only those variants resistant to these
conditions would be able to survive. This will slowly lead to the evolution of a better
adapted species. Thus, variation helps in the evolution of sexually reproducing
organisms.
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