Question

Write one main difference between the asexual and sexual mode of reproduction. Which species is likely to have comparatively better chances of survival- the one reproducing asexually or the one reproducing sexually?
Give the reason to justify your answer.

Answer 1

Hint: Reproduction is the biological process by which new individual organism "offspring" are produced from their "parents".
It is the basic process through which life on earth goes on.

Complete answer: One main difference between the asexual and sexual mode of reproduction:
In the sexual reproduction, there is a fusion of gametes from both parents and meiosis take place but in asexual reproduction, reproduction occurs by a single parent without fusion of gametes.
The one reproducing sexually has a better chance of survival as there will be variations due to the fusion of two-parent gametes. It will help the organisms to adapt themselves easily with the change in the environment.
As a result, there will be more chances of survival than asexual organisms who do not have variation as asexual organisms are usually clones of parents.

Additional information: In sexual reproduction, fertilization of gametes gives rise to zygote whereas, in asexual reproduction, the process of gamete formation or fertilization is absent.
In sexual reproduction, the offspring gets genes from both parents whereas in asexual reproduction the offspring is a clone of the parent.

Note: Asexual reproduction includes fission, budding, fragmentation, and parthenogenesis while sexual reproduction is achieved through the combination of reproductive cells from two individuals.
Hydra, Amoeba, etc. reproduce asexually while humans, birds, mammals, some plants reproduce sexually.