Many plants can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Which statement below best describes why one method might be more beneficial than the other?

Sexual reproduction guarantees that two plants will provide nourishment for new plantlets
Asexual reproduction allows plants to avoid having to care for their offspring
Sexual reproduction provides genetic variation to plants to help them survive in a changing environment.
Asexual reproduction allows plants to skip the process of finding a mate.

1 answer

The statement that best describes why one method might be more beneficial than the other is: "Sexual reproduction provides genetic variation to plants to help them survive in a changing environment."

This is because sexual reproduction results in offspring with a mix of genetic material from two parents, which increases genetic diversity. This diversity is crucial for the survival of a species, especially in changing environments, as it allows for a greater chance that some individuals will possess traits that enable them to thrive under new conditions.