Sexual Reproduction: Trade-Offs
Paper 4 — Evaluating Advantages & Disadvantages · 15 Questions · 29 Marks
Advantages
5 Qs · 8 marks
Disadvantages
5 Qs · 9 marks
Crop Production
5 Qs · 12 marks
Section A — Advantages
Genetic variation & adaptation in wild populations
State the main advantage of sexual reproduction to a wild population of a species.
Explain why genetic variation is beneficial to a wild population. [2]
A new pathogen emerges in a forest ecosystem. Explain how genetic variation resulting from sexual reproduction could help the tree population survive. [2]
State what process during sexual reproduction is responsible for producing genetic variation in offspring.
Discuss the advantage of sexual reproduction to a species living in a rapidly changing environment compared to a species that reproduces asexually. [2]
Section B — Disadvantages
Costs of sex: mate-finding, energy, non-uniform offspring
State two disadvantages of sexual reproduction compared to asexual reproduction. [2]
Explain why sexual reproduction is considered less efficient than asexual reproduction in terms of reproducing a population quickly. [2]
State one disadvantage of genetic variation in offspring produced by sexual reproduction.
Compare the speed of population increase in a species that reproduces sexually with one that reproduces asexually. [2]
Explain one disadvantage of sexual reproduction to a population living in a stable, unchanging environment. [2]
Section C — Crop Production
Preserving or creating traits for commercial farming
A farmer has bred a highly disease-resistant wheat plant. Explain why sexual reproduction might be a disadvantage for producing the next generation of crops. [2]
Explain why farmers prefer asexual reproduction when growing commercially valuable crops. [2]
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using sexual reproduction in crop production. [3]
A plant breeder wants to create a new variety of tomato that is both drought-tolerant and pest-resistant. Explain why sexual reproduction is the most appropriate method to use. [2]
Evaluate the use of asexual reproduction vs sexual reproduction for a farmer growing a large field of disease-resistant strawberries. [3]
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