Question

Why doesn't asexual reproduction result in variation among offspring and parents?

Answer 1

Asexual reproduction is the creation of offspring from one parent. There is no mating or mixing of genetics in asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction results in a clone of the parent, meaning theoffspring has identical DNA as the parent. There is usually no variation from generation to generation in a species population

Answer 2

There is no mating or mixing of genetics in asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction results in a clone of the parent; the offspring has identical DNA as the parent. There is usually no variation from generation to generation in a species population that relies on asexual reproduction.

One way for an asexually reproducing species to get some diversity is through mutations at the DNA level. If there is a mistake in mitosis or the copying of the DNA, then that mistake will be passed down to the offspring, thereby possibly changing its traits. Some mutations do not change the phenotype, however, so not all mutations in asexual reproduction result in variations in the offspring.​