Question

1. Why is sexual reproduction more beneficial to a species living in an unpredictable environment than to one living in a constant environment?

Answer 1

During sexual reproduction the genetic material of two individuals is combined to produce genetically diverse offspring that differ from their parents. The genetic diversity of sexually produced offspring is thought to give species a better chance of surviving in an unpredictable or changing environment.

Species that reproduce sexually must maintain two different types of individuals, males and females, which can limit the ability to colonize new habitats as both sexes must be present.

Sexual reproduction is typically advantageous over asexual reproduction because the environment is constantly changing. Sexual reproduction allows new combinations of genes to form. This greater genetic diversity increases the phenotypic variation: that is, it increases the physical variety of the organisms.

Sexual reproduction provides a constant supply of unique organisms. This is particularly beneficial in a rapidly changing environment because it increases the likelihood that at least some of the individuals will possess an adaptation that would allow them to survive in the new environmental conditions.

In contrast, a species living in a very stable environment must be able to withstand r-selected traits K-selected traits chooses constant and/or predictable habitats One criticism, that the r/K selection theory doesn't answer all questions, can be ... greater environmental variability and have greater variability in numbers than.