Under Which Conditions Would Asexual Plants Have the Greatest Advantage

Question

Under which conditions would asexual plants have the greatest advantage over sexual plants?
A)an environment that varies on a regular, predictable basis
B)an environment with irregular fluctuations of conditions
C)a relatively constant environment with infrequent disturbances
D)a fire-maintained ecosystem
E)an environment with many seed predators

Accepted Answer

Asexual plants would have the greatest advantage in a relatively constant environment with infrequent disturbances because they can reproduce rapidly without the need for a mate, while sexual reproduction requires the chance encounter of the appropriate partner. In a predictable environment, sexual reproduction may allow for more adaptability in response to changing conditions, while in an environment with irregular fluctuations or frequent disturbances, sexual reproduction would promote genetic diversity, which can increase survival chances. A fire-maintained ecosystem may favor plants that can quickly regenerate after a disturbance, whether asexual or sexual. An environment with many seed predators would not necessarily provide an advantage for asexual reproduction.