# A farmer wants to produce a large number of offspring from a prize-winning cow. Explain why the farmer would choose asexual reproduction rather than sexual reproduction to achieve this aim.

> AQA GCSE Biology (8461) — 4.6.1 Reproduction · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Asexual reproduction involves only one parent / no male gamete is needed
2. Asexual reproduction produces genetically identical offspring (to the parent)
3. So the desirable / prize-winning characteristics of the cow are preserved / passed on to all offspring
4. Sexual reproduction creates genetic variation (so offspring may not have the desirable characteristics) / asexual reproduction avoids this risk

## Key terms

- [asexual reproduction](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/asexual-reproduction)
- [sexual reproduction](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/sexual-reproduction)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Biology (8461)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-farmer-wants-to-produce-a-dd469d46) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.