Asexual Reproduction

Asexual mode of reproduction can be predicted as simplest form of reproduction, no involvement of gametes and therefore, gamete formation does not takes place. Such process is called as asexual method of reproduction.

Characteristics of Asexual reproduction:

  1. No fusion of gametes takes place.
  2. Only single parent involved.
  3. Cell division occurs.
  4. The asexual method of reproduction occurs rapidly.
  5. They have short life span.
  6. There is no diversity among parents and offspring.
  7. The reproduction of offspring time is much quicker as compare to sexual reproduction and have ability to produce many offspring in short period of time.
  8. Examples: bacteria, yeast, some plants, etc.

Types of Asexual reproduction:

There are six types of asexual reproduction. In sexual reproduction, a fusion of gamete is involved but there is need of classification in case of asexual reproduction due to tremendous diversity among living prokaryotic organisms. All types of prokaryotes reproduce asexually due to small size of body and shorter life span. They have ability to produce more offspring in very short life span along with prokaryotic organisms, most of the eukaryotic organisms also reproduce asexually for example, fungus and some plants.

Therefore, the types of asexual reproduction are

1.) Budding: Budding is the common type of asexual reproduction in which the offspring develops from outgrowth of parent cell from a particular site.

2.) Vegetative Reproduction: It is also called as vegetative propagation. In this kind of method, from one part of a plant, new plant arises for example; from cutting twig of particular plant and planting that twig arises or gives rise to new plant.

3.) Binary Fission: It is cell division can be defined as a single organism can be divided into two parts with separation of their genetic material.

4.) Regeneration: This is a type of asexual reproduction in which generation of new part form a lost part of living organisms. Some organisms have ability of regeneration for example, lizard tail.

5.) Fragmentation: This type of asexual reproduction seen in spirogyra. In which, from the broken part of body, new organisms can arise.

6.) Parthenogenesis:Partheno = without fertilization; genesis = formation. The process of formation of offspring or more appropriately food without fertilization.4

Advantages of Asexual Reproduction:

  1. Asexual reproduction is rapid as compared to sexual reproduction.
  2. It gives rise to more numbers of progeny.
  3. It requires less energy and time.

Question and Answers:

1) What is asexual reproduction?

Answer : Asexual mode of reproduction can be predicted as simplest form of reproduction, no involvement of gametes and therefore, gamete formation does not takes place. Such process is called as asexual method of reproduction.

2) What are the characteristics of asexual reproduction?

Answer :

  1. No fusion of gametes takes place.
  2. Only single parent involved.
  3. Cell division occurs.
  4. The asexual method of reproduction occurs rapidly.
  5. They have short life span.
  6. There is no diversity among parents and offspring.
  7. The reproduction of offspring time is much quicker as compare to sexual reproduction and has ability to produce many offspring in short period of time.
  8. Examples: bacteria, yeast, some plants, etc.

3) Can eukaryote reproduce asexually?

Answer : They have ability to produce more offspring in very short life span along with prokaryotic organisms, most of the eukaryotic organisms also reproduce asexually for example, fungus and some plants.

4) Enlist the types of asexual reproduction?

Answer : There are 6 types of asexual reproduction such as budding, vegetative propagation, binary fission, regeneration, fragmentation and parthenogenesis.

5) Define: Budding

Answer :Budding is the common type of asexual reproduction in which the offspring develops from outgrowth of parent cell from a particular site.

6) Define: Vegetative reproduction

Answer :It is also called as vegetative propagation. In this kind of method, from one part of a plant, new plant arises for example; from cutting twig of particular plant and planting that twig arises or gives rise to new plant.

7) Define: Binary Fission

Answer :It is cell division can be defined as a single organism can be divided into two parts with separation of their genetic material.

8) Define: Regeneration

Answer :This is a type of asexual reproduction in which generation of new part form a lost part of living organisms. Some organisms have ability of regeneration for example, lizard tail.

9) Define: Fragmentation

Answer :This type of asexual reproduction seen in spirogyra. In which, from the broken part of body, new organisms can arise.

10) Define: Parthenogenesis

Answer :Partheno = without fertilization; genesis = formation. The process of formation of offspring or more appropriately food without fertilization.

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