Many plants can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Which statement below best describes why one method might be more beneficial than the other?(1 point)
Responses
Asexual reproduction allows plants to avoid having to care for their offspring.
Asexual reproduction allows plants to avoid having to care for their offspring.
Sexual reproduction provides genetic variation to plants to help them survive in a changing environment.
Sexual reproduction provides genetic variation to plants to help them survive in a changing environment.
Sexual reproduction guarantees that two plants will provide nourishment for new plantlets.
Sexual reproduction guarantees that two plants will provide nourishment for new plantlets.
Asexual reproduction allows plants to skip the process of finding a mate.
The statement "Sexual reproduction provides genetic variation to plants to help them survive in a changing environment" best describes why one method might be more beneficial than the other.
The statement that best describes why one method might be more beneficial than the other is: "Sexual reproduction provides genetic variation to plants to help them survive in a changing environment."
The statement that best describes why one method might be more beneficial than the other is: "Sexual reproduction provides genetic variation to plants to help them survive in a changing environment."
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the advantages of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes (pollen and ovule) from two parent plants, resulting in offspring with a combination of genetic traits from both parents. This genetic variation allows plants to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
In contrast, asexual reproduction involves the production of offspring that are genetically identical to the parent plant. While asexual reproduction offers advantages such as efficient reproduction and avoidance of the need to find a mate, it does not provide genetic diversity. Without genetic variation, a population may be less equipped to survive and adapt to changes in their environment, such as diseases, pests, or changing climatic conditions.
Therefore, sexual reproduction, by providing genetic variation, increases the chances of plants adapting and surviving in a changing environment, making it more beneficial compared to asexual reproduction.