The correct answers are A and C. When an individual is reproducing asexually, it means that there is no fusing of two parent cells and meiosis, but that the offspring is produced out of the cells of one parent. This means that the organism is not '' losing time'' by trying to find a suitable mate, which enables the populations to grow at a rapid rate. However, the offspring are genetically identical to the parent, which means that there is very little genetic variation in the population which can lead to accumulation of harmful mutations and unresponsiveness to changes in the environment.
<h2><em>Answer: A: Rapid Rate C: Only one parent needed</em></h2>
<u>Explanation: A: Rapid Rate - A major advantage of asexual reproduction is the rate at which it occurs. [Aphids on a stalk of a green plant] Many organisms can reproduce rapidly using asexual means. Asexual reproduction may enable a population to expand its numbers more quickly than it could be if it were using meiosis, or sexual reproduction. A speedy production of new individuals may permit a population to inhabit a given area quite rapidly. [Strawberry plants in a pile] Many plants reproduce asexually and occupy a given area of ground in a short time. [Orange lilies growing outside] They are then able to keep other species out of that area, because they were able to occupy it before the others.</u>
<u>Explanation: C: Only one parent needed - [Jellyfish, glowing pink and purple] Asexual reproduction also enables organisms to reproduce with only one parent, eliminating the search for a suitable mate. It allows for the passing of favorable traits from one generation to another. However, with little genetic variation, disease-causing mutations are also passed from one generation to the next. For this reason, organisms created through asexual reproduction are more likely to develop diseases and genetic disorders.</u>
