MOD 3 Snails

Question 1

What triggers the switch from ASEXUAL reproduction to SEXUAL reproduction?

Answer 1

It is triggered by how resource-rich the environment is or is not.

If there is adversity/harshness in the environment (e.g lack of camouflage), there is in need for variation which comes from meiosis (sexual reproduction) to survive the harsh environment.

However, if it is resource rich (e.g good camouflage) then there is no need for new variation in order to survive. This means that asexual reproduction will be easier, quicker and more useful in that situation.

Question 2

Where would you find a sexually reproducing population of mud snails?

Answer 2

Shallow water, because more parasites and so in need of more genetic variation in order to survive.

Question 3

Where would you find an asexually reproducing population of mud snails?

Answer 3

Deep water, becuase less parasites and so need less genetic variation.

Question 4

COMPLETE THE GAPS:

_________ reproduction mixes up resistance alleles, meaning the members of a _____ population will all have subtly _____ combinations of resistance alleles.

Answer 4

Sexual reproduction mixes up resistance alleles, meaning the members of a sexual population will all have subtly different combinations of resistance alleles.

Question 5

COMPLETE THE GAPS:

An individual’s genetics code for the
_____ that build and run that ______.

Answer 5

An individual’s genetics code for the
proteins that build and run that individual.