Female copperhead snakes have the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. In your opinion, which method is best for the species in general and why? include the following in your post: Discuss asexual and sexual reproduction in terms of genetic diversity. How is meiosis related to genetic diversity? Use one of Gregor Mendel\'s ideas to support your opinion. Solution Female copperhead snakes have the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. While asexual reproduction involves only one organisms, sexual reproduction requires both a male and a female. According to my opinion, the best reproduction method for this species is sexual reproduction. The reason is that after several years the species would lose its ability to thrive in a given environment. This ultimately would lead to an extinction of the species after many years, and would leave this particular species open to other prey because of its ability to survive. Sexual vs Asexual in terms of genetic diversity and meiosis relationship: The process of sexual reproduction involves two parents, each contributing one gamete. Gametes are produced by a process called meiosis, which starts by the duplication of chromosomes, followed by two rounds of cell divisions and halving of the chromosome number. Gametes have half the chromosome number of other adult cells of organism. A key feature of meiosis is the excahnge of chromosome pieces which occurs in the first division of this process, called recombination or crossing over. Recombination is a very improtant source of genetic variation between individuals of sexually reproducting species, and the driving force for the process of nature selection. Gregor Mendel known as the father of Genetics came up with different ideas or theories relating to genetics in offspring. His theory that best fits my opinion is the blending theory of inheritance. The Blending theory of inheritance states, the original parental traits were lost or absorbed by the blending in the offspring..