1.) Sexual reproduction increases genetic diversity in many species of plants and animals because of meiosis. During meiosis, crossing-over occurs and changes up genes in the chromosomes. Each gamete (sperm and egg), have half the chromosomes (23) and combine to have 46 chromosomes. This is how you get traits from your parents that make you different.
2.) Asexual reproduction occurs when a single parent copies its own DNA and genes and grows an identical version or clone of itself.