Advantages And Disadvantages Of Sexual Reproduction: The process of producing a new member of a family can be defined as reproduction. It means to reproduce. In biological terms, there are two types of beings, asexual and sexual. Sexual reproduction is the process of reproduction where two different bodies or sexes combine to produce a new infant or offspring. Similarly, a type of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of a gamete can be defined as asexual reproduction. The cause of the growth of the population of homo sapiens or human beings is sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction has both advantages and drawbacks or disadvantages. We shall discuss both attributes in the coming section of this article.
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What do you mean by Sexual Reproduction? Benefits and Demerits of Sexual Reproduction
Reproduction is a type of life process which helps or enables a human being to produce offspring of its type. It is further divided into two types: sexual and asexual. Here, we shall discuss sexual reproduction. A type of reproduction that involves two different sexes to produce an infant or new ones can be defined as the process of sexual reproduction.
Sexual reproduction takes place in both human beings and flowering plants along with some mammals or higher category beings. Some examples of flowering plants are rose, cactus, orchid, and so on. Some mammals which undergo sexual reproduction are a dog, cats, tigers, homo sapiens ( human beings ), and many more. With the help of sexual reproduction, the new offspring produced will inherit the physical characteristics of its family tree. It is rightly said that nature has produced or invented the process of reproduction as a mechanism for life to carry on.
- Advantages of Sexual Reproduction
- Disadvantages of Sexual Reproduction
- Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual Reproduction
- FAQ’s on Advantages And Disadvantages Of Sexual Reproduction
Advantages of Sexual Reproduction
As mentioned above, a type of reproduction that involves two different sexes to produce an infant or new ones can be defined as the process of sexual reproduction. There are both merits and demerits of sexual reproduction. In this section, we shall discuss the advantages or merits of sexual reproduction. The following points mentioned below analyze the advantages of sexual reproduction:
- Encouragement of the Survival of Species:- The primary and most important advantage of sexual reproduction is to encourage the survival of the living species. In both the kingdoms, the animal and plant kingdom, the mates are attracted towards a different body or hormonal superiority.
- Prevents Genetic Bottleneck to Occur:- If you study asexual reproduction, you will find that the new beings that are produced are clones or a copy of their parent body. This increases the chance of harming the whole species. But, in sexual production, two different bodies of different sexes mate with each other to produce offspring. They are genetically and physically identical to their parents. This prevents the genetic bottleneck to occur.
- Increases the Disease resistance:- The offspring produced in the process of sexual reproduction allows the offspring to be disease resistant in higher levels of diseases. We know that viruses, bacterias, fungi, and various other things affect the human body. They are generally unable to adapt to the human body and cause severe effects. This is due to the genetic inheritances provided by the DNA of the two bodies (male and female ).
- Survival of the Fittest:- The notion of survival of the fittest was coined by ‘Charles Darwin’. Those species which are best suited to the environmental conditions will survive. The process of sexual reproduction helps the new offspring to be healthier to survive. This helps the species to have an evolutionary change in both the micro and macro levels.
- A Rewarding Experience:- Sexual reproduction is considered to be a rewarding experience. It stimulates the cells of the brain. Our brain releases dopamine and makes us feel enjoyable. This can be addictive as much as cocaine and other drugs. It is also often regarded as an antidepressant. It helps to relieve pain.
- Improves health:- in human beings, the process of sexual reproduction is regarded to improve health. In males, the rate of sex twice a week lowers the blood pressure and lowers the heart disease as well. It also lowers the hormone of stress in the human body.
Disadvantages of Sexual Reproduction
The following points mentioned below analyze the demerits or disadvantages of sexual reproduction:
- Time and Energy Taking:- In sexual reproduction, two different bodies of a different gender must find each other to reproduce. This increases the time and energy to locate the suitable partner or mate with traits to be produced in the new infant or offspring.
- Increases Uncertainty:- In asexual reproduction, there is a 100 percent chance that a new species will produce and join the family tree. But, in sexual reproduction, it is not a 100 percent chance that a new offspring will be born. The mates may be infertile. In other bodies, the cells might not come together to create offspring.
- Deadly:- In 5 percent of the human body, a brain aneurysm is found which can be deadly. During the process of sexual reproduction, the aneurysm may rupture leading to death. There are around 8 triggers that cause the rupture.
Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual Reproduction
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Sexual reproduction encourages or enhances the survival of species. | The process of sexual reproduction takes a lot of energy and time. |
| It resists the new offspring from various deadly diseases. | It can be highly addictive as it increases the level of the brain cells i.e. dopamine. |
| It is considered a rewarding experience as it increases the level of dopamine. | It increases the level of uncertainty. There is no 100 percent chance that a new offspring shall be produced. |
| Sexual reproduction improves health. It lowers the chance of heart attacks in human beings. | Sexual reproduction can rupture the brain aneurysm which can lead to death. |
Sexual Reproduction consists of both advantages and disadvantages if we look from a factual or scientific form. It can cause genetic diversity and at the same time be hazardous to health. It can be pleasurable and at the same time be life-taking.
FAQ’s on Advantages And Disadvantages Of Sexual Reproduction
Question 1.
What is sexual Reproduction?
Answer:
A type of reproduction that involves two different sexes to produce an infant or new ones can be defined as the process of sexual reproduction.
Question 2.
Name the gametes involved in the process of sexual reproduction?
Answer:
The gametes involved are pollen in the plants and sperms in humans.
Question 3.
What is the abbreviation of DNA?
Answer:
Deoxy-ribo-nucleic- acid.