An advantage of

reproduction is that a genetic disorder in a parent might not affect the offspring.

1 answer

Yes, that is indeed one of the advantages of sexual reproduction. In sexually reproducing organisms, offspring inherit genetic material from two parents, which can lead to genetic diversity. This genetic variability means that even if one parent carries a genetic disorder, there is a possibility that the offspring may not inherit that particular disorder, especially if the disorder is recessive. If the disorder is dominant, there is a higher likelihood that the offspring may be affected, but the combination of genes from both parents can still lead to a range of possible outcomes.

Furthermore, through mechanisms such as recombination during meiosis, genes can mix in various ways, potentially allowing offspring to inherit healthy alleles that can mask or counteract the effects of any disorder inherited from a parent. Overall, genetic diversity is crucial for the adaptability and survival of populations over time.