Recombination and Sexual Reproduction

Abstract

Since, as we have seen, reproduction can occur without sexuality, you might ask, “Can sex take place without reproduction?” The answer is “Yes,” if you consider sex to be equivalent to recombination. Usually we think of sex as involving two main processes: meiosis in a diplophase, and fusion of haploid gametes. Then, indeed, we can speak of sexual reproduction, and recombination of genes is its principal consequence. But recombination of genes can occur in ways that don’t necessarily result in reproduction. Most such recombination goes on in lowly forms, such as viruses, bacteria, and molds. Complex plants and animals can recombine genes only by means of old-fashioned sex.