Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproductionSpec 4.6.1.3
In short
The main advantage of sexual reproduction is that it produces variation in the offspring, which gives a survival advantage by natural selection if the environment changes. Asexual reproduction needs only one parent, is faster, is more time and energy efficient because no mate is needed, and produces many identical offspring when conditions are favourable. Many fungi use both.
| Sexual reproduction | Asexual reproduction |
|---|---|
| Produces variation in the offspring | Only one parent is needed |
| If the environment changes, variation gives a survival advantage by natural selection | More time and energy efficient, as there is no need to find a mate |
| Natural selection can be speeded up by humans in selective breeding to increase food production | Faster than sexual reproduction |
| Many identical offspring can be produced when conditions are favourable |
The spec lists the advantages. The disadvantages of each type are the converse of the advantages of the other. Sexual reproduction needs two parents, takes more time and energy because a mate must be found, and is slower. Asexual reproduction produces no variation, so if the environment changes, or a new disease appears, the whole population may be affected.
Organisms that use both methods
Some organisms reproduce by both methods, depending on the circumstances. You only need to know the examples below.
- Malarial parasites reproduce asexually in the human host, but sexually in the mosquito.
- Many fungi reproduce asexually by spores, but also reproduce sexually to give variation.
- Many plants produce seeds sexually, but also reproduce asexually by runners (strawberry plants) or bulb division (daffodils).
You may be asked about an organism you have not met. Use the information given and the general advantages above. 'Conditions are favourable' and 'no mate needed' are common asexual marks. 'Variation' and 'survive a change' are the sexual marks.
Written and checked against the AQA GCSE Biology (8461) specification · Updated October 2026