Question

sexual reproduction is responsible for the genetic variability within a species. which of the following is true regarding how sexual reproduction differs from asexual reproduction?

a. ○ daughter cells produced are diploid

b. ○ it goes through the process of mitosis

c. ○ it replicates dna before cell division

d. ○ offspring are genetically different from the parent.

Explanation:

• Option A: In asexual reproduction (e.g., mitosis in some cases), daughter cells can also be diploid. So this is not a unique difference for sexual reproduction.
• Option B: Asexual reproduction (like binary fission, mitosis) uses mitosis, while sexual reproduction uses meiosis (and sometimes mitosis for growth, but the key reproductive division is meiosis). So this is incorrect.
• Option C: Both sexual and asexual reproduction (before cell division, like in mitosis or meiosis) replicate DNA. So this is not a difference.
• Option D: In sexual reproduction, offspring are formed by the fusion of gametes from two parents, so they have a combination of genetic material from both, making them genetically different from the parent. In asexual reproduction, offspring are clones (genetically identical to the parent). So this is a true difference.

Answer:

D. Offspring are genetically different from the parent.