Text written in Basque and translated automatically by Elia without any subsequent editing. SEE ORIGINAL

The advantages of sexual reproduction have been clarified

A study has sought to clarify why sexual reproduction exists. They believe that the key lies in the ability to adapt to changing environments.

Sexual reproduction is biologically expensive for several reasons. On the one hand, it creates rivalry between those of the same species to find a partner and, on the other, only half of the population is able to produce offspring. By asexual reproduction, on the other hand, there is no need for courtship or such action, and all individuals can create more individuals. To find out why sexual reproduction exists, an investigation examines its advantages.

The researchers used a brewer's yeast strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) for the study. This fungus, used to make beer and bread, can reproduce sexually and asexually, in addition to creating new generations every 90 minutes. The latter feature has been of particular interest for the study, as the yeast population reached 960 generations in four months. This allows genetic transmission to be observed in a short period of time.

“Sexual reproduction favors phenotypes or generalist variants.”

At the beginning of the study, a dozen yeast populations were generated, all of which were maintained under ideal conditions. Under these circumstances, all populations increased asexually. Then, a previously unperformed test was carried out in which some yeast populations were subjected to conditions that were not ideal and it was found that the populations that used sexual reproduction were better adapted to the environment.

In view of the results, the authors explain that sexual reproduction favors generalist phenotypes or variants, that is, it prefers individuals capable of adapting and surviving in different conditions. By asexual reproduction, on the other hand, the lineages adapt to certain conditions and are less able to respond to changes.

The authors note that this process observed in yeasts may be advantageous for all sexually proliferating organisms. In fact, most living beings on Earth have to adapt permanently to changing environments.