Re:Why Sex? Biologists Find New Explanations
by ben_w on Friday April 24, 2020 @05:38PM
(#22973188)
> So, the question implied by your casual comment is, what is the purpose of the multitude of sperm?
Rather, I am asking why to expect the number of gametes to be more relevant than the number of viable offspring when considering genetic diversity.
Exactly three of the $big_num of sperm my father’s body created led to offspring. Likewise exactly three of my mother’s eggs. Gamete_father >> Gamete_mother is true, but does not appear important in this specific regard.
I accept the other reasons you give for there being lots of sperm cells, but it’s answering a different question :)
Rather, I am asking why to expect the number of gametes to be more relevant than the number of viable offspring when considering genetic diversity.
Exactly three of the $big_num of sperm my father’s body created led to offspring. Likewise exactly three of my mother’s eggs. Gamete_father >> Gamete_mother is true, but does not appear important in this specific regard.
I accept the other reasons you give for there being lots of sperm cells, but it’s answering a different question :)