Why we have sex

[oldcynic]

"Asexual reproduction, such as laying unfertilised eggs or budding off a piece of yourself, is a much simpler way of reproducing," says Dr da Silva, Senior Lecturer in the University of Adelaide's School of Biological Sciences. "It doesn't require finding a mate, and the time and energy involved in that, nor the intricate and complicated genetics that come into play with sexual reproduction. It's hard to understand why sex evolved at all."

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-03-evolving-lovesick-survival-sex.html#jCp

[guillaumeb]

1. Imagine Trump budding off pieces.

Or casting seed like a flower.

[oldcynic]

3. article says we have sex to avoid pathogens...apparently doesn't always work. n/t

[guillaumeb]

12. Trump IS a pathogen infecting the country. eom

[ProudLib72]

4. NO!

[guillaumeb]

14. Think of it as a weight loss program.

A guaranteed program.

[uponit7771]

7. +1

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

9. Does that orange monster have to enter every thread?

[guillaumeb]

15. Especially a thread about sex?

At least we are all simply talking about it.

[Stuart G]

2. Well....this is the first time I have seen this subject discussed here..

in such an obvious and frontal interpretation. There are people who like rear interpretations of this, but I am not here to argue a better method of interpretation. That is obviously up to individuals. We are a diverse group here, and are interested in knowing as much as we can about important subjects. This is indeed an unusual but important subject, but the interpretation is even more unusual. Therefore you are to be commended on bringing uniqueness up front in this discussion. thank you.....

[oldcynic]

8. The prime directive of all life is reproduction and territorial expansion

gender is not appropriate here.

[Stuart G]

13. Nevertheless. territory must be expanded..

I would it assume, that the larger territories allow for entrance into the territories to be easier. Easier entry into territories, will promote reproduction quicker without difficulty. Cutting back difficulty, and increasing the ease of entry is tactually important in understanding rates of reproduction as well as making it more likely.

[Warpy]

5. Even bacteria do it

although they reproduce by splitting. They "bridge" and exchange genetic material as a way of evolving and erasing replication errors that occur during asexual replication. That latter is why sex evolved, to mix up the genetic material within a species.

Personally, I like the plant model. Nobody buys you dinner but you don't have to deal with snoring or nubs in the sink, either. Just grab some pollen and make your seeds.

[qdouble]

6. The Dr seems to be ignorant of the problems associated with inbreeding and how

the lack of genetic diversity can result in an entire population being wiped out by a particular disease.

[Egnever]

11. Isn't that exactly what their theory is?

That we have sex to defend from disease?

Maybe I read the article wrong..

[qdouble]

17. eh, I had stopped reading at the paragraph previous to that one

"It is hard to imagine why this sort of natural selection should be ongoing, which would be required for sex to be favoured,"

I was like, isn't it established that sexual reproduction is about disease and abnormal genetic mutation resistance? The beginning of the article makes it seems as if that isn't already the main theory.

[PoliticAverse]

10. "Asexual reproduction ... is a much simpler way of reproducing" - yeah but it isn't as much fun. n/t

[oldcynic]

18. please explain yourself

How do you know what an amoeba feels as it expands and splits? Might make your idea of fun pretty dull.

[Warpy]

19. Yes, it takes a huge amount of energy to accomplish

so likely they'd never do it if it wasn't fun.

[briv1016]

16. While it is very easy to get a large population through asexual reproduction,

the large population is very susceptible to negative external stimuli due a lack of genetic diversity.

[oldcynic]

20. let's clear this up---genes are exchanged in asexual reproduction

binary fission
the process whereby a cell divides asexually to produce two daughter cells

transduction
horizontal gene transfer mechanism in prokaryotes where genes are transferred using a virus

transformation
the alteration of a bacterial cell caused by the transfer of DNA from another, especially if pathogenic

conjugation
the temporary fusion of organisms, especially as part of sexual reproduction

pilus
a hairlike appendage found on the cell surface of many bacteria

[trof]

21. It used to always make me feel good.

But that was long ago...

[oldcynic]

22. almost as good as taking off a girdle

Also long ago...

[trof]

23. Or a bra.

Miz t. gives feedback.
"DAMN it's good to get rid of this flopper-stopper!"

[surrealAmerican]

24. Are we allowed to have sex threads in GD now?

I seem to remember a rule ...

[Dr. Strange]

25. Locking.

No asexual reproduction threads.

Thank you,

The Modulators

[PJMcK]

26. Why we have sex?!

'Cause it's fun!!!

And kids.

(sigh)

[Binkie The Clown]

27. God gave us sex so he would have something to punish us for.

[LeftInTX]

28. So we don't have to think about Donald Trump