Question

reproduction smackdown!
who will be the winner?
consider the following during this activity

• organisms that reproduce sexually (such as rotifers) are more successful when their environment changes permanently because they are all a little different genetically, which makes it more likely that some of them will be able to survive in the new environment.
• organisms that reproduce asexually (such as euglenas) are more successful when their environment doesnt change permanently because they reproduce more quickly because they dont need a mate.
• this is a big clue: if the environment permanently changed, then rotifers will be more successful.

if the environment did not permanently change, then euglenas will be more successful.
directions:

1. in each scenario, decide whether the problem is permanent or temporary. decide which protist will win based on the facts above.
2. explain your answer in a complete sentence, using the information at the top of this sheet.

scenario 1: fifty euglenas and fifty rotifers are living in a pond. suddenly, a disease kills most of the volvox, which is their food. most euglenas and rotifers die of starvation, leaving only five of each. then, the disease disappears and the volvox come back. which will get its population back up to 50 first, euglenas or rotifers?
give at least one reason for your choice in a complete sentence:

Explanation:

Euglenas reproduce asexually. Asexual reproduction allows for quicker population growth as no mate is needed. The environment (food source - volvox) came back, so it's a temporary change. Asexual reproducers (euglenas) are more successful in non - permanently changing environments as they reproduce faster.

Answer:

Euglenas.
Euglenas will get their population back up to 50 first because they reproduce asexually and can reproduce more quickly without needing a mate, and the environment (food source) was restored (temporary change), which favors asexual reproducers like euglenas.