The Evolution of Sex

Question 1

Define an organism being sexual

Answer 1

Organisms which have a stage in their lifecycle where genes from different individuals are brought together = recombination

Question 2

What is “dioecy”

Answer 2

Separate males and females (the opposite of hermaphroditism)

Question 3

What percentage of flowering plants are obligate sexuals?

Answer 3

1%

Question 4

What are the 3 types of asexual reproduction?

Answer 4

Parthogenesis
Gynogeneis
Hybridogenesis

Question 5

If there was a mutation that caused asexualism, why would you expect it to spread through the population?

Answer 5

Asexuals have double the fitness of sexuals

Question 6

Name 3 advantages of asexuality

Answer 6

1. There is no need to find a mate
2. There is no need to develop traits to attract a mate
3. Less risk of STIs and STDs

Question 7

Name 2 advantages to being sexual

Answer 7

1. Adaption to changing environments if faster so evolution is faster
2. Deleterious mutations are eliminated more quickly - sexuals can restore the optimal genotype by recombination

Question 8

Why should asexuals be able to speciate quickly?

Answer 8

Reproductive isolation is not needed