I was asked on an exam why sexual reproduction evolved if it is also just as advantageous for asexual reproduction (as in bacteria or parasites) as far as evolution is concerned.
My answer was that it evolved because complex organisms take a longer period of time before they are viable. So, sexual reproduction allows for this, and it probably evolved not because it was more advantageous than asexual reproduction, but because of the (positive?) evolutionary ramifications of having complex organisms.
Was this a correct answer? What else could I have written down?
My answer was that it evolved because complex organisms take a longer period of time before they are viable. So, sexual reproduction allows for this, and it probably evolved not because it was more advantageous than asexual reproduction, but because of the (positive?) evolutionary ramifications of having complex organisms.
Was this a correct answer? What else could I have written down?
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Sexual reproduction has the possibility for recombination of alleles since chromosomes assort independently. Further there is crossover to increase allelic recombination. This increases the rate of genetic variation and makes it possible for multicellular organisms with long generations to compete effectively with the rate of genetic variation in asexual parasites with short generations.
Replication infidelities introduce new variations to the gene pool no matter what method of reproduction is part of the species life cycle. However only sexual diploid or polyploid species with recombination in meiotic crossover and independent assortment of chromosomes has a mechanism to increase variation, making new allele combinations possible. The size of their diploid genome makes it possible to have plasticity in development. They can have epistatic regulation by maternal influence assist in the survival rate of the next generation.
Coevolution favors rapid, competitive rates of evolution in infectious, parasitic or predatory ecological relationships between species. Here the antagonist species are forced to evolve rapidly to avoid falling behind in the struggle with each other.
Replication infidelities introduce new variations to the gene pool no matter what method of reproduction is part of the species life cycle. However only sexual diploid or polyploid species with recombination in meiotic crossover and independent assortment of chromosomes has a mechanism to increase variation, making new allele combinations possible. The size of their diploid genome makes it possible to have plasticity in development. They can have epistatic regulation by maternal influence assist in the survival rate of the next generation.
Coevolution favors rapid, competitive rates of evolution in infectious, parasitic or predatory ecological relationships between species. Here the antagonist species are forced to evolve rapidly to avoid falling behind in the struggle with each other.
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sexual reproduction allows for greater diversification of genetic material