Which process produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent?

• A. Sexual reproduction
• B. DNA replication
• C. Adaptation
• D. Asexual reproduction

Answer: (D)

Asexual reproduction produces offspring that are genetic clones of the parent because there is only one parent passing on its DNA, without combining genes from another individual. In this process, cells divide to transfer an exact copy of the parent’s genetic material to the offspring, typically through mitosis, so the offspring inherit the same genes and chromosome set. DNA replication is a crucial step here, making a precise copy of the parent’s DNA before division, which is why the resulting offspring are genetically identical (aside from any rare new mutations). Sexual reproduction, by contrast, mixes genes from two parents, producing offspring that are not identical to either parent. Adaptation is about how populations change over time due to selection, not about producing identical offspring. So the method that yields identical offspring is the one that transmits the parent’s complete genetic material in a single-lineage process.