Question

When asexual propagation is used to generate more individuals instead of sexual propagation, what happens to the amount of genetic variation that is generated?

A) The genetic variation level drops to zero since without sexual reproduction, there is no way to create new genetic variation.

B) Genetic variation is limited to mutations which can only be passed on to clonal offspring. The level of genetic variation is much less compared with sexually reproducing plants.

C) There is just as much genetic variation as with sexual reproduction because all new genetic combinations come about when mitosis occurs as new vegetative or somatic cells get made

D) There is actually more genetic variation with asexual propagation because then it is during normal somatic cell division when new genetic combinations are created. Sexual propagation requires gametes which have the same gene as the cells that make the gametes.

Answer 1

In asexual reproduction, its nucleus divides simply, each chromosome copied and each nucleus receives the same genetic material: genes, made of DNA. Each cell divides into two, the resulting daughter cells are exact copies of one another. Only one type of cell is involved, with no input from the other individuals . Because no new genetic material is introduced, there is no genetic variation in the resulting offspring.

In sexual reproduction, both male and female sex cells are produced by a special cell division process which halves the number of chromosomes in each resulting cell. The chromosome separation process ensures each sex cell has a unique combination of genes in its nucleus. Hence, sexual reproduction genetic variation into offspring. This is an essential feature in order for evolution to take place.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).