WAEC 2014 Biology · Question 42

Which of the following statements about asexual reproduction is correct? It

Options

A.always involves one parent but the offspring is genetically different from the parent.
B.may involve two parents but the offspring is always identical to one parent
C.always involves one parent and the offspring is genetically identical to the parent
D.involves two parents but the offspring is not genetically identical to any of the parents

Answer: C. always involves one parent and the offspring is genetically identical to the parent

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question We are asked which statement about asexual reproduction is correct. We need to recall its defining features.

Step 2: The concept Asexual reproduction:

Involves only one parent.
There is no fusion of gametes (no fertilisation) and no meiosis.
Offspring are produced by mitosis, so they are genetically identical to the parent (clones), barring rare mutations.
Examples: binary fission in amoeba, budding in yeast and hydra, vegetative propagation in yam, cassava and sweet potato, and spore formation in fungi.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

A. Wrong. One parent is correct, but the offspring are not genetically different. They are identical.
B. Wrong. Asexual reproduction never involves two parents. Involving two parents is a feature of sexual reproduction.
C. Correct. It always involves one parent, and the offspring are genetically identical to that parent.
D. Wrong. Two parents and genetically different offspring describe sexual reproduction.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C.

Tip: Remember "Asexual = A single parent = A copy (clone)". If an option mentions two parents, gametes, or genetic variation, it is describing sexual reproduction. In WASSCE, the word "always" can make a statement wrong, but here it is true because asexual reproduction by definition needs only one parent.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.