Which of the following is a characteristic of nonmetals?
a. non-metals often conduct electricity
b. nonmetals are not ductile
c. nonmetals are often shiny and hard
d. nonmetals are often malleable

Non-metals are usually poor conductor of heat and electricity, they are not ductile nor malleable, nonmetals are often dull so the ans is B

B They have higher reproductive rates.

Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction, which takes place in simple organisms. This mode of reproduction does not require the formation of gametes by the living organisms. The offsprings produced are usually larger in number as compared to those produced in the sexual mode of reproduction. The offsprings are genetically identical to the parent organisms.

Although, the life span of the asexually reproducing organisms is low, and the organisms produced are typically shorter than the sexually reproducing organisms. But, they have higher reproductive rates than sexually reproducing organisms. This because of the fact that these organisms are simple. They do not require to form or develop sex cells like sexually reproducing organisms. They just require favorable environment conditions to develop a new organism. For example, budding in yeast, the bud develops as an outgrowth on mother yest cell, which detaches in maturity and germinate to form new yeast organism.