What advantages do diatoms obtain from sexual reproduction?a. increased genetic variability. b. increased ability of populations to respond to environmental change. c. evolutionary potential. d. regeneration of maximal cell size for the species. d. all of the above.

The correct answer is: option D. all of the above.

Explanation:

In sexual reproduction, two opposite gender gametes are fused together to form a zygote by the process called fertilization which forms the new organism that is genetically unique.

In diatoms, sexual reproduction caused various types of advantages such as higher or enhanced genetic variability as recombination occurs. It also helps the ability to responding to environmental change Increasing the population or species size and other.

Thus, the correct answer is: option D. all of the above.

fertilization, pictured in figure 24.23a is the process in which gametes (an egg and sperm) fuse to form a zygote. the egg and sperm each contain one set of chromosomes. to ensure that the offspring has only one complete diploid set of chromosomes, only one sperm must fuse with one egg. in mammals, the egg is protected by a layer of extracellular matrix consisting mainly of glycoproteins called the zona pellucida. when a sperm binds to the zona pellucida, a series of biochemical events, called the acrosomal reactions, take place. in placental mammals, the acrosome contains digestive enzymes that initiate the degradation of the glycoprotein matrix protecting the egg and allowing the sperm plasma membrane to fuse with the egg plasma membrane, as illustrated in figure 24.23b. the fusion of these two membranes creates an opening through which the sperm nucleus is transferred into the ovum. the nuclear membranes of the egg and sperm break down and the two haploid genomes condense to form a diploid genome.

explanation: