In sexual reproduction, an offspring is reproduced from the gametes of two parents, one male, and the other female whereas asexual reproduction involves only one organism. It is imperative to note that offspring that are reproduced from the latter normally lack genetic variations and as such, their ability to adapt and survive in the environment becomes compromised. This occurs mainly because they do not benefit from the genetic variation that comes as a result of sexual reproduction. The best reproduction method for this species is therefore sexual because it will give the offspring the genetics to overcome extinction in the changing environment. In the long run, they would be susceptible to prey because they would lack the traits that are required for survival. Species that that are produced through asexual reproduction lack this aspect of diversity because they have the same version of genes as their parents (Van & Sally Ride Science, 2008 ).
For any species, the ability to adapt to a new environment as a result of evolution is very important because it determines the existence of the species. The inheritance of genes from the male and female gametes is, therefore, a very important factor in this process. Mendel’s law of independent assortment provides a good illustration of how asexual and sexual reproduction contribute to the hereditary and assortment of survival genes. According to this law, the genes of an organism are normally separated from each other in such a way that the inheritance of one trait is independent to the inheritance of another ( Van & Sally Ride Science, 2008 ). During reproduction, these genes are passed on to an offspring in a manner that allows the organism to adapt to the environment.
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Sexual reproduction provides organisms with genetic diversity that is required for survival because the egg and sperm contain different genes from the parents. It normally involves meiosis, which refers to the duplication of a cell’s DNA through the fusion of male and female gametes. As the DNA is fused among the reproductive cells, genetic information is exchanged between the male and female inherited copies of each pair of the chromosomes to create a new combination of genes ( Van & Sally Ride Science, 2008 ). In meiosis, this genetic recombination process serves as an effective method of increasing the genetic variability of a species. Virtually, there is a limitless transmission of the genes from the parent to the offspring creating a greater capability to adapt as a result of diversity.
References
Van, G. L., & Sally Ride Science (Firm). (2008). Gregor Mendel: Genetics pioneer . Huntington Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials.
