Researchers set up two groups, each containing 20 parent fungi. The fungi in the asexual group were genetically identical. All other conditions were kept the same. Conditions were favourable for 14 days. The offspring were then exposed to a new disease for 7 days.
| Reproduction method | Number of offspring after 14 days | Number of offspring alive after exposure to the disease |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual | 80 | 40 |
| Asexual | 240 | 12 |
Explain how the results show which method was more advantageous during the favourable conditions and which was more likely to allow the population to survive the disease. Include in your answer how the reproductive methods produce these different outcomes.
62 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Biology 6.1 Reproduction, covering 6.1.1 Sexual and asexual reproduction, 6.1.2 Meiosis, 6.1.3 Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction, 6.1.4 DNA and the genome, 6.1.5 DNA structure, 6.1.6 Genetic inheritance, 6.1.7 Inherited disorders, and 6.1.8 Sex determination. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.