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
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.
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 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. This is because sexual reproduction allows for the creation of genetically diverse offspring, which increases the chances of survival in a changing environment.
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."
To understand why this is the most suitable answer, we need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of both sexual and asexual reproduction in plants.
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes (pollen and egg) from two parents, resulting in genetically diverse offspring. This genetic diversity enables plants to adapt to changing environmental conditions. It allows for the combination and reshuffling of genetic material, leading to increased variation within a population. This variability increases the chances of survival for at least some individuals in a changing environment. Some individuals may possess advantageous traits that help them better cope with new challenges, such as temperature fluctuations or new pathogens.
On the other hand, asexual reproduction involves the production of offspring without the involvement of gametes from another individual. This method allows plants to reproduce rapidly and efficiently, without the need to find a mate. However, it does not contribute to genetic variation. Offspring produced through asexual reproduction are genetically identical or nearly identical to the parent plant. In a stable environment, this lack of variability may not pose a problem. However, in a changing environment, having a limited genetic pool can make a plant population vulnerable to new pressures, reducing their ability to adapt and survive.
Therefore, sexual reproduction providing genetic variation to plants is considered more beneficial than asexual reproduction in terms of increasing their chances of survival in a changing environment.