XSIQ
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Biology - Inheritance

Inheritance

Organisms such as aphids have sexual and asexual stages in their life
cycles. What advantages are there in having this kind of life cycle? Are
there disadvantages?

It is obvious that characteristics are passed from one generation to the
next, whether you are considering dogs, wheat, greyhounds, carnations or
people. Cuttings of asexually reproducing organisms can be taken and new
individuals identical to the parent are established (clones). The only way
some kinds of organisms (which?) reproduce is asexually. Some organisms
such as aphids have a sexual and an asexual stage in their life cycle. Can
you think of other examples? What advantages are there in having this kind
of life cycle? Are there disadvantages?

In the following video Dr. Malcolm Simons explains the job of an
immunogeneticist and discusses the importance of patterns of inheritance in
his field of work.

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