How sexual reproduction enables organisms like algae and fungi to survive during unfavourable conditions?
Please note that sexual reproduction does not help these particular organisms (who have sex) to survive, it helps species to survive. Unfavorable conditions often trigger sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction achieve 2 things: 1. DNA repair (especially in viruses and bacteria). This function of genetic material exchange is most ancient and is considered the reason the sex occured in the first place. For example, radiation is very harmful and can damage DNA. To repair DNA process of DNA repairs by sexual recombination developed when from two damaged DNA molecule one intact was build. 2. Recombination or re-shuffling of genetic material results in diverse offspring. During recombination some errors can occur (mutations, gene duplications, insertions and deletions). Offspring with novel and advantageous gene combination and mutations survive better and pass them to their babies. Simultaneously, offspring with disadvantageous gene combinations die and these combinations and mutations ar
