STATE TWO DISADVANTAGE OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN ANIMALS
1) Costly and time-consuming: Sexual reproduction in animals involves the production of specialized reproductive cells (gametes) and the subsequent process of mating. This process requires significant energy expenditure and time, as animals must seek out and engage in mating behavior with a suitable partner. Additionally, the development and maintenance of reproductive structures and behaviors can also be costly in terms of time and resources.
2) Genetic variation and risk of inheriting harmful traits: Sexual reproduction leads to a mixing of genetic material from two parents, resulting in considerable genetic variation among offspring. While this variation can be beneficial in terms of enhancing adaptability to changing environments, it also increases the risk of inheriting harmful genetic traits. Some animals may carry recessive genes for certain diseases or disorders, and the chances of these genes being expressed increase when individuals with the same recessive genes mate. Thus, sexual reproduction increases the potential for harmful genetic combinations and can increase the risk of offspring inheriting detrimental traits.