Imagine there are 25 different species of protists living in a tide pool. Some of these speciesreproduce both sexually and asexually, and some of them can reproduce only asexually. The poolgradually becomes infested with disease-causing viruses and bacteria. Which species are morelikely to thrive in the changing environment?

A)the asexually reproducing species
B)cannot tell from this information-survival will depend on a variety of other factors
C)Sexually and asexually reproducing species are equally likely to thrive.
D)the sexually reproducing species

Sexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction in which two parents are required to generate an offspring.
As this mode of reproduction requires two parents, the genetic composition of the offspring is a mixture of both the parents and hence, sexual reproduction gives rise to genetic variation.
Genetic variation is essential to survive in a changing environment as it can lead to the development of certain characters that prove to be essential for survival.
Therefore, if there are 25 different species of protists in the tide pool, it is the sexually reproducing species that will be able to thrive in the changing environment as their offsprings will have genetic variation and this may lead to a positive natural selection.