Question

Read each scenario then choose which one is correct.
Man: "Hey, my kids are clones, but they're all a little different from me because of the genetic mixing during asexual reproduction."
Man: "Yeah, that makes sense. Asexual reproduction always mixes DNA, so your offspring are genetically diverse."
Woman: "I just heard Harry and Steve talking about their kids being clones."
Man: "Exactly! Every time I split, it's like shuffling a deck of cards--so much variety!"

Woman: Check this out.--I just made another me! Asexual reproduction at its finest. My offspring are exact clones. Perfect and efficient!
Man: Efficient, sure. But clones mean no genetic variation, Ace. One disease and you're all in trouble.
Woman: Variation? Why bother? Cloning is quick and reliable.
Man: Because variation is survival! In asexual reproduction, two parents mix their DNA during meiosis. It's like shuffling cards--new combinations in every offspring. That's why we adapt better to change.
Woman: So your kids are unique hybrids? No copies?
Man: Exactly! It's more effort, but that diversity keeps us thriving. Your way works in stable conditions, but I've got the edge in unpredictable ones.

Man: OMG, I just made a new me, and it took both me and a partner to make it happen.
Man: That makes sense, Rupert. Asexual reproduction always needs two parents working together, just like sexual reproduction.
Woman: Exactly! Splitting without a partner would be impossible.
Woman: I gues that's why asexual reproduction is so similar--teamwork is key!

Woman: Ace, I heard your offspring are clones of you and your partner. Must be nice to have perfect duplicates!
Man: You heard right, Mixie. Sexual reproduction always makes identical offspring--exact clones of both parents.
Woman: That's what I thought! Combining genes must mean no variation at all!
Woman: Exactly! Every kid s a perfect copy of the parents! No surprises.

Answer 1

The correct scenario is the second one, in which the man explains the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction accurately. He explains that asexual reproduction results in clones without genetic variation, while sexual reproduction, which involves the mixing of DNA from two parents, leads to unique offspring with genetic variations. This variation is crucial for adaptability and survival in changing environments.

In the other scenarios, the notions about asexual reproduction needing two parents or offspring being identical clones from sexual reproduction are incorrect. Asexual reproduction typically involves one parent and results in clones, while sexual reproduction, which combines the genetic material from two parents, creates offspring that are genetically diverse rather than exact copies.