What is the evolutionary benefit of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction?

Answer 1

There is not necessarily one single advantage.

One reason may be that it helps create genetic variation, which makes the gene-pool of a species more robust in the face of environmental change.

Another is the DNA repair mechanism involved in meiosis, the essential molecular process involved in sexual reproduction.

Yet another molecular advantage is complementation, whereby deleterious recessive genes are masked by normal dominant genes inherited from the other parent.

Answer 2

Asexual reproduction is for simple organisms. Asexual reproduction is also a exact genetic copy of your genes. Which does not evolve without genetic mutations. But sexual reproduction is the mixing of 2 individuals and therefore a mix of genes and that diversifies the genetic pool.

Having diversification of genes protects against the one thing that life needs to survive over time. That is the differences between the genes protects us from becoming extinct. Some of us will survive and continue the race so do speak with most diseases and natural disasters.

Answer 3

Sexual reproduction allows for genetic variability because there is a combination of genes going into one offspring which can increase fitness; whereas asexual reproduction is just a copy of the original organism and the only variability would have to come from chance mutations.

Answer 4

Sexual reproduction needs a partner (the process known as fertilization) but asexual doesn't need a partner ( they are considered as clones).