Most bacteria known to researchers reproduce through the method of binary fission. This is a process that entails the division of a single-cell bacterium into two cells that are identical. Specifically, prokaryotes’ cells have evolved to have several methods of genetic material recombination, which influence genetic diversity. The three most widespread methods in which bacteria enable their DNA’s diversification include conjugation, transformation, and transduction (Clark, Douglas, & Choi, 2018). During transformation, cells acquire their genetic characteristics from the environment, while in conjugation, they are transferred through direct contact, with one cell being the donor and the other a recipient. Finally, during the process of transduction, one bacterium transfers genetic material to another. The advantage of asexual reproduction is that the process needs less energy and occurs in various environments, thus allowing for species’ survival. The disadvantages include the limited diversity within life forms and the passing of negative mutations from the parent to the offspring.
Sexual reproduction and meiosis are detrimental to contributing to biodiversity because every cell (gamete) that is produced as a result of meiosis carries only half of its parent cell’s DNA. Thus, for a new organism to be formed, two gametes must get combined to mix their genes and facilitate increased genetic diversity. The diversity produced as a result of sexual reproduction is illustrative of such factors as crossing over and homolog pairs’ random orientation during the meiosis metaphase (Clark et al., 2018). When examined within the context of evolution, sexual reproduction will inevitably result in a more diverse offspring because they will possess characteristics that their parents did not have. The recombining and shuffling of genes are expected to create more complexity and increase the capacity of the species to survive in the changing world. Because nature is not static, the capability to mix genes and produce stronger offspring, increasing the chances of species’ survival.
Genetic erosion, or depletion, represents the process in which an endangered species’ limited pool of genes diminishes more. During depletion, it is likely that reproductive specimens die before having the chance to reproduce with their mates. Besides affecting animals, genetic erosion is applied to plant populations, predominantly native. Plants’ loss of genetic diversity is often a result of the limitations in habitat and increased fragmentation, caused by human activity. When plant populations initially possess a limited genetic base, they are more likely to be subjected to erosion. To address the problem, conservation and preservation efforts are crucial as a way to reverse the cycles of genetic decline (Khoury et al., 2021). If no such actions are taken, agriculture may hold an unpredictable future, which may result in the limited availability of crops and the increased efforts of gene modification to address consumer demand.
References
Clark, M. A., Douglas, M., & Choi, J. (2018). Biology (2nd ed.). OpenStax.
Khoury, C. K., Brush, S., Costich, D. E., Curry, H. A., de Haan, S., Engels, J. M. M. … Thormann, I. (2021). Crop genetic erosion: Understanding and responding to loss of crop diversity. New Phytologist, 233(1), 84-118.