Which of the following is NOT one of the factors contributing to the high cost of sexual reproduction?

Question

a) specialized reproductive structures such as the male p***s

b) production of excessive number of gametes

c) development of elaborate courtship rituals

d) production of the cytoplasm for millions of reproductive buds

e) nourishment of offspring

Answer 1

a?

Answer 2

a)

a) and c) don't seem to be.  They're not contributing factors, they're the result of such factors.  If I had to pick only one, I'd pick a), because c) could arguably require time/energy.

b), d) and e) all require time/energy.  Time/energy is the exacted cost of sexual reproduction, either pre-birth, or post-birth.

Answer 3

the answer is D

Extra cytoplasm would need to be produced during asexual reproduction. So this is not an extra cost of sexual reproduction.

Also, budding is a form of asexual reproduction.

Nourishment of offspring is a tricky answer for them to put because this can occur during asexual reproduction even though its not considered common. However, D seems to be what the question is looking for.