Computational Model Library

Evolution of Sex (1.1.2)

Evolution of Sex is a NetLogo model that illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproductive strategies. It seeks to demonstrate the answer to the question: “Why do we have sex?” After all, wouldn’t it be a better strategy to simply clone yourself? There are many advantages to asexual reproduction:

  • Your offspring possess all of your own genetic material.
  • You get to make a copy of 100% of your genes.
  • You don’t have to worry about finding a mate.

Conversely, there are many disadvantages to sexual reproduction:

  • You have to share your genetic material with an unrelated individual.
  • You get to make a copy of only 50% of your genes.
  • You have to expend time and energy looking for and obtaining a mate.

From this, it may seem like sexual reproduction is an evolutionary puzzle as it appears too costly to ever be advantageous. However, as this model shows, under certain conditions, a sexual reproductive strategy can win out over an asexual strategy. By introducing parasites to the environment, it creates a selective pressure that makes it more advantageous NOT to simply make a clone of yourself! The reason is simple: if a parasite can infect you, it can also infect all of your clones. However, if your offspring only obtain 50% of their genetic material from you, they are less likely to be susceptible to the same parasite that can infect you. Sexual reproducers are able to mix their genetic material in ways that produce new combinations that parasites have not yet evolved to attack. In short, in the arms race between the hosts and the parasites, sexually reproducing hosts are able to keep up much better than asexually reproducing hosts can.

EvolutionOfSex-view-6.png

Release Notes

This version includes minor code updates to increase runtime.

Associated Publications

Evolution of Sex 1.1.2

Evolution of Sex is a NetLogo model that illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproductive strategies. It seeks to demonstrate the answer to the question: “Why do we have sex?” After all, wouldn’t it be a better strategy to simply clone yourself? There are many advantages to asexual reproduction:

  • Your offspring possess all of your own genetic material.
  • You get to make a copy of 100% of your genes.
  • You don’t have to worry about finding a mate.

Conversely, there are many disadvantages to sexual reproduction:

  • You have to share your genetic material with an unrelated individual.
  • You get to make a copy of only 50% of your genes.
  • You have to expend time and energy looking for and obtaining a mate.

From this, it may seem like sexual reproduction is an evolutionary puzzle as it appears too costly to ever be advantageous. However, as this model shows, under certain conditions, a sexual reproductive strategy can win out over an asexual strategy. By introducing parasites to the environment, it creates a selective pressure that makes it more advantageous NOT to simply make a clone of yourself! The reason is simple: if a parasite can infect you, it can also infect all of your clones. However, if your offspring only obtain 50% of their genetic material from you, they are less likely to be susceptible to the same parasite that can infect you. Sexual reproducers are able to mix their genetic material in ways that produce new combinations that parasites have not yet evolved to attack. In short, in the arms race between the hosts and the parasites, sexually reproducing hosts are able to keep up much better than asexually reproducing hosts can.

Release Notes

This version includes minor code updates to increase runtime.

Version Submitter First published Last modified Status
1.1.2 Kristin Crouse Mon Feb 15 15:40:39 2021 Mon Feb 15 15:40:39 2021 Published Peer Reviewed
1.1.1 Kristin Crouse Thu Feb 20 22:54:34 2020 Fri Feb 5 02:11:44 2021 Published Peer Reviewed
1.1.0 Kristin Crouse Thu Dec 5 05:26:22 2019 Thu Feb 20 04:48:35 2020 Published
1.0.1 Kristin Crouse Sun Nov 24 07:18:58 2019 Sun Nov 24 07:18:58 2019 Published
1.0.0 Kristin Crouse Sun Jun 5 08:24:01 2016 Sun Feb 18 07:23:42 2018 Published

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