Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction (biology only) — AQA GCSE Biology
Test yourself on Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction (biology only) with AQA GCSE practice questions.
7 days Premium · Then free forever · No card, no charge
Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction (biology only) explained
Many organisms can switch between asexual and sexual reproduction according to conditions.
Read the full explanation
Asexual reproduction is favoured when the environment is stable and favourable, because it is fast, needs one parent and produces many identical offspring. Sexual reproduction is favoured when conditions change or become stressful, because meiosis and fertilisation create genetic variation, so some offspring may survive a new threat such as disease, drought or a new predator. For example, aphids reproduce asexually in summer when food is plentiful, but sexually in autumn, producing eggs that survive winter. Some plants spread by runners or bulbs in good conditions but produce flowers and seeds when stressed. The skill is to link each method to the circumstance and explain the benefit in terms of speed, energy or variation.
Your focus
- Describe organisms that reproduce by both asexual and sexual methods depending on circumstances.
- Explain why asexual reproduction is favoured in stable conditions and sexual reproduction in changing conditions.
- Apply the idea to a named organism such as aphids or a plant that uses runners and seeds.
Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction (biology only) exam tips
Marking Points
- Asexual reproduction is used when conditions are favourable and stable, because it is fast, energy-efficient and needs only one parent.
- Sexual reproduction is used when conditions change or become stressful, because genetic variation may allow some offspring to survive.
- Aphids reproduce asexually in summer and sexually in autumn, producing overwintering eggs.
- Some plants reproduce asexually by runners or bulbs in good conditions and sexually by seeds when conditions change.
- The switch is an adaptation that balances rapid cloning against the survival value of genetic variation.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Name the organism and the two circumstances, then state which method is used in each.
- 💡Explain the benefit of the chosen method using speed, energy or genetic variation.
- 💡Use a named example such as aphids or strawberry plants to make the answer concrete.
Common Mistakes
- Stating that an organism uses only one method for life; the correction is that some organisms use both methods at different times or in different circumstances.
- Claiming that asexual reproduction creates variation that helps survival; the correction is that sexual reproduction creates the variation, while asexual reproduction produces identical offspring.
- Giving no circumstance for the switch; the correction is to state the condition, such as favourable versus stressful or changing environments.