Asexual Reproduction

Overview

• Asexual reproduction involves only one parent.
• Offspring inherit all genes from the single parent.
• Offspring and parent are genetically identical.
• No genetic variation in offspring.

Organisms that Reproduce Asexually

• Single-celled organisms: Bacteria, paramecium.
• Multicellular organisms: Strawberries, hydra, starfish, some sharks.

Forms of Asexual Reproduction

• Binary Fission:

  • Common in single-celled organisms like bacteria.
  • Genetic material is copied and organism splits into two identical cells.

• Mitosis:

  • Occurs in single-celled eukaryotes with a nucleus.
  • Similar to binary fission but includes splitting of the nucleus.

• Budding:

  • New organism develops from a growth/bud on parent.
  • Genetically identical and eventually detaches to grow independently.

• Vegetative Reproduction:

  • Seen in plants without seeds/spores.
  • Examples: Strawberries use runners; garlic bulbs split to form new plants.

• Fragmentation:

  • Organism splits/loses part, and remaining parts grow into new organisms.
  • Example: Starfish regrow lost arms which can become new starfish.

• Parthenogenesis:

  • Seen in some fish, birds, reptiles.
  • Offspring created from unfertilized eggs.
  • Offspring are genetically identical to the parent.
  • Example: Leopard shark birth in an aquarium from unfertilized eggs.

Advantages of Asexual Reproduction

• Rapid rate of reproduction.
• Quick population increase.

Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction

• No genetic variation means difficulty adapting to environmental changes.
• Susceptible to predators or diseases that could wipe out the population.

Summary

• Asexual reproduction involves one parent and identical offspring.
• Provides a quick increase in population size.
• Poses challenges in adapting to environmental changes and resisting diseases/predators.