Why did sexual reproduction evolve, according to evolutionary theory?

The evolution of sexual reproduction is considered a significant innovation in the history of life due to its role in creating biodiversity and enhancing the resilience of species. Sexual reproduction combines genetic material from two parents, which results in offspring with a unique combination of genes. This genetic variation is crucial because it allows populations to adapt over time to changing environments, resist diseases, and cope with different ecological challenges.

With increased genetic diversity, the likelihood of some individuals possessing advantageous traits increases, which can lead to more robust populations overall. This resilience is especially important in the face of evolutionary pressures, such as environmental shifts or new predators, as diverse gene pools provide a better chance for some organisms to survive and thrive under varying conditions.

In contrast, options that suggest sexual reproduction leads to genetic uniformity, cloning, or reduced genetic variation ignore the fundamental benefits that sexual reproduction provides in terms of genetic diversity and adaptability in populations.