Cycle 7

Reproductive Sex

The process of generating new combinations of alleles through sexual reproduction.

Genetic Diversity

The variation in genetic material that is generated through sexual reproduction, resulting in new haplotypes.

Sexual Recombination

The process of creating genetically unique offspring by combining the DNA of both parents.

Obligately Asexual

Organisms that reproduce through parthenogenesis, where an ovum is produced but not fertilized.

Facultatively Asexual

Organisms that have the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually.

Monoecious

Organisms that have both male and female reproductive organs and can reproduce sexually.

Sequential Monoecy

Organisms that start life as one sex and then switch to the other later in their lives.

Protandry

The occurrence of maleness first in an organism's lifetime.

Protogyny

The occurrence of femaleness first in an organism's lifetime.

Simultaneous Monoecy

Organisms that have both male and female reproductive organs at the same time (hermaphrodites).

Dioecious

Organisms that have separate sexes in separate individuals and reproduce sexually.

Sex Ratio Manipulation

The ability of non-hermaphroditic organisms to manipulate the sex ratio of their offspring based on environmental conditions.

History of Sex

The evolutionary development of sexual reproduction, with asexual reproduction being the initial mode of reproduction.

Isogamy

The production of equal-sized gametes by both females and males.

Anisogamy

The production of unequal gamete sizes, with females producing larger but fewer gametes and males producing smaller but more gametes.

Benefits of Sexual Reproduction

The advantages of sexual reproduction, including increased speed of evolution, creation of new genotypes with fewer harmful mutations, and decreased likelihood of extinction.

Costs of Sexual Reproduction

The disadvantages of sexual reproduction, including wasted energy on rejection or predator exposure, costs associated with producing sons, and the complicated process of getting gametes to offspring.

Asexual Reproduction

The mode of reproduction where offspring are produced without the need for gamete fusion, resulting in limited genetic variation and accumulation of harmful mutations.

Selection of Males vs

The differences in reproductive strategies between males and females, with males competing for mates and females selecting mates based on quality.

Indirect Benefits

The advantages gained through sexual selection, including attractive individuals having good genes and being good parents.