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13. What might be a disadvantage to temperature-dependent sex determination?

14. Compared to separate sexes and assuming self-fertilization is not possible, what might be one advantage and one disadvantage to hermaphroditism?

15. What do you think would happen if multiple sperm fused with one egg?

Answer :

Final answer:

Temperature-dependent sex determination can limit sex ratios based on environmental conditions. Hermaphroditism offers flexibility in mating but may introduce reproductive conflicts. Polyspermy, resulting from multiple sperm fusing with an egg, usually leads to detrimental effects on embryo development.


Explanation:

Disadvantages of Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination

Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) is a phenomenon observed in some reptiles, including many species of turtles and crocodiles. One major disadvantage is that it makes the sex of the offspring reliant on the environmental conditions at the time of egg incubation. For example, if temperatures are consistently higher due to climate change, it may lead to a population that is predominantly female, which can threaten biodiversity and affect population viability.

Advantage and Disadvantage of Hermaphroditism

In organisms that exhibit hermaphroditism, such as earthworms and some species of fish, one advantage is increased mating opportunities. Since individuals possess both male and female reproductive organs, they can mate with any partner, enhancing the chances of finding a mate in environments where individuals might be scarce.

However, a potential disadvantage is the conflict of interest in reproduction. For example, if two hermaphroditic individuals interact, they could face competition between coordinating which individual will invest in producing eggs or sperm, which may hinder reproductive success.

Fusion of Multiple Sperm with One Egg

If multiple sperm were to fuse with one egg, it could lead to a condition known as polyspermy, where more than one sperm enters the egg. This scenario typically results in lethal genetic abnormalities because the egg is only usually designed to manage the genetic material from one sperm. Consequently, polyspermy disrupts the normal development of the embryo and generally leads to fertilization failure.


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