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Chapter 18: Problem 34

If a population stopped reproducing sexually, but still reproduced asexually, how would its genetic variation be affected over time? Could speciation occur in this situation? Explain your ideas. a. Genetic variation would increase and speciation would be possible b. Genetic variation would increase and speciation would not be possible. c. Genetic variation would decrease and speciation would be possible. d. Genetic variation would decrease and speciation would not be possible.

Short Answer

Expert verified
d. Genetic variation would decrease and speciation would not be possible.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Sexual vs Asexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction combines genetic material from two parents, leading to greater genetic variation. Asexual reproduction involves a single organism reproducing without the combination of genetic materials, producing offspring identical to the parent.
02

Analyze Genetic Variation with Asexual Reproduction

In a population reproducing only asexually, genetic variation would be limited to mutations since no genetic mixing from two parents occurs. Over time, this would result in decreased genetic variation.
03

Consider Possibility of Speciation

Speciation often requires genetic diversity and environmental pressures leading to reproductive isolation. With decreased genetic variation from asexual reproduction, the potential for speciation is notably reduced, although slight variations from mutations could allow for very rare instances.
04

Evaluate the Answer Choices

Given that genetic variation would decrease and the potential for speciation would also be very unlikely, the correct choice aligns closest with this scenario: Genetically variation would decrease and speciation would not be likely.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction is a process that mixes genetic information from two parents to create offspring with a combination of traits. This leads to higher genetic diversity.
Every human, plant, or animal engaging in sexual reproduction contributes to a pool of varied genetic material, enhancing their survival and adaptability.
  • Combines DNA from two individuals
  • Leads to unique offspring
  • Promotes genetic diversity
The combination of genes from both parents can introduce helpful traits, making the species more adaptable.
Over many generations, this genetic mixing helps populations evolve and potentially form new species under the right environmental pressures.
Asexual Reproduction
Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, involves only one parent, resulting in offspring that are genetic clones of the parent. This form of reproduction is common in many plants, bacteria, and some animals.
  • No genetic variation from parent to offspring
  • Maintenance of stable traits
Because there is no genetic mixing, all traits are inherited directly from the one parent. While this can be efficient and fast for population growth, it limits genetic diversity.
Genetic variation in asexually reproducing populations relies solely on mutations. Over time, this can result in decreased genetic variability, making the population less adaptable to new environmental changes.
Speciation
Speciation is the formation of new and distinct species through evolution. This process typically requires significant genetic diversity and environmental changes. In sexually reproducing populations, diverse traits and environmental pressures can lead to reproductive isolation and eventually new species.
For instance:
  • Birds adapting to different food sources
  • Plants evolving to different pollinators
In contrast, asexually reproducing populations, with their lower genetic diversity, are less likely to undergo speciation. The reduced genetic differences from parent to offspring mean there's less material for natural selection and adaptation to act upon.
However, over very long periods, even small mutations can lead to speciation in asexually reproducing species, but this is quite rare.
Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity is crucial for the health and survival of populations. It ensures that there are enough different traits for some members of a population to survive environmental changes, diseases, or other challenges.
In sexually reproducing populations, genetic diversity arises from:
  • Crossing over during meiosis
  • Independent assortment of chromosomes
  • Random fertilization
This rich variety allows species to adapt and evolve over time. Asexual reproduction, lacking this gene mixing, solely depends on mutations for any variation.
Consequently, populations that reproduce asexually have less genetic diversity, making them more vulnerable to diseases and less adaptable to changing environments.
Maintaining genetic variation within populations is essential for their long-term survival and ability to adapt to new challenges.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A friend says: 鈥淣atural selection is about the survival of the very fittest in a population. The fittest are those that are strongest, largest, fastest.鈥� Would you agree with that statement? Explain. What evidence from scientific disciplines can you offer to support your agreement or your disagreement? a. The statement is true. If an organism is not strong and fast, it will not survive long enough to reproduce and pass on its genes, and if it is not large and fitter than the other individuals around it then it will not be able to compete for a mate. Many seal species, for example, have only a single male who gets to mate. He must be the very fittest seal to win all the females. b. The very fittest organisms are not necessarily the ones that survive. Sometimes it is the least fit organisms that survive and reproduce. For example, in one generation the mice who are bad at foraging for seeds may reproduce prolifically and dominate the mice who are good at foraging. In this case, natural selection will select for the less-fit phenotype and spread it in the population. c. The definition of fitness is not correct. The strongest and fastest organisms are more fit than the weaker and slower ones, but large individuals are often at a disadvantage to smaller ones because they are easily spotted by predators. For example, a large rabbit will stick out on a field more than a small one and will get eaten by a hawk. d. What is meant by 鈥渇ittest鈥� is not necessarily strong, large, and fast. Fitness, as defined in evolutionary terms, has to do with survival and the reproduction of genetic material. For example, a small but showy male bird may be selected by female birds to reproduce, while a large but less colorful one is not.

Describe a situation where hybrid reproduction would cause two species to continue divergence. a. f two closely related species continue to produce hybrids, the hybrids will compete with both species, causing them to find new niches which will further their divergence b. If two closely related species continue to produce hybrids, they will develop reproductive barriers to prevent production of hybrids, to ensure that they remain separate species. c. If two closely related species continue to produce hybrids that are less fit than the parent species, there would be reinforcement of divergence. d. f two closely related species continue to produce hybrids they will always converge into a single species.

The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. Thus, life has evolved, and continues to evolve, randomly. Which statement is an appropriately evidence-based refinement of the above? a. The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. However, the process of natural selection, which results in adaptations like the fit between a flower and its pollinator, favors variants which are better able to survive and reproduce. Natural selection is not random, so the overall process of evolution is not random, either. b. The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. However, the process of migration, which results in gene flow between populations, also generates genetic variation. Migration is not random, so the overall process of evolution is not random, either. c. The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. However, the process of sexual reproduction, which also introduces genetic variance, is not random. Because sexual reproduction is not random, the overall process of evolution is not random, either. d. The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random. Whether mutations have a positive, negative, or neutral effect in terms of selective advantage is also random. Mutations and their effects are random, so the overall process of evolution is random.

Why is having a way of defining species and distinguishing between them important for the study of evolution? a. A distinction between species allows scientists to understand the common origin of all species. b. A common definition of species allows scientists to agree on all aspects of the theory of evolution. c. Divergence can only occur at the species level: it does not occur to larger taxa. Therefore it is important to know which groups are distinct species. d. In the study of evolution, the species is the unit over which change is measured

While examining the human genome, you find a gene that is not homologous to any other organisms known to man. You conclude that this gene must be unique to the human species and could not have evolved from another organism. Would this discovery suggest that humans do not share a common ancestor with all other organisms on Earth? Explain your answer.
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