Answer
Self-pollination provides genetic uniformity for the most part, with some variation due to crossing over during meiosis. It also is assured reproduction since pollen has only a very short distance to travel to find the egg. On the other hand, self-pollination leads to low genetic diversity, which is a problem in a variable environment.
Work Step by Step
Review earlier material in chapters on genetics to see about variation due to outcrossing and meiotic recombination. Think about when genetic diversity (variable environment) is useful and when it is less important (uniform environment).
