Which organism can reproduce both sexually and asexually?
dog
starfish
protist
sandhill crane
The organism that can reproduce both sexually and asexually is the starfish.
The organism that can reproduce both sexually and asexually is the starfish.
To find the answer, we can start by considering each organism mentioned in the question:
- A dog is a mammal and reproduces only sexually, meaning it requires mating between male and female individuals to produce offspring.
- A starfish, on the other hand, has the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Starfish can reproduce sexually by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization occurs externally. They can also reproduce asexually through a process called regeneration, meaning the starfish can regenerate lost body parts to create new individuals.
- A protist is a eukaryotic microorganism that can reproduce both sexually and asexually, depending on the species. Protists include organisms such as algae and protozoa, which exhibit diverse reproductive strategies.
- A sandhill crane is a bird and reproduces only sexually, similar to dogs.
Therefore, among the given choices, the starfish is the organism that can reproduce both sexually and asexually.