Asexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction Asexual reproduction A single parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent Examples include: budding, fragmentation, regeneration, runners, tubers, and plantlets Click here

Binary fission: Cell divides into two cells Asexual Reproduction Binary fission: Cell divides into two cells Example: bacteria

Asexual Reproduction Budding happens when a part of the parent organism pinches off and forms a new organism Ex: coral, jellyfish

Examples include: flatworms Asexual Reproduction Fragmentation: Parts of an organism break off and then develop into a new individual that is identical to the original Examples include: flatworms

Examples include: sea star/starfish Asexual Reproduction Regeneration: When an organism loses a body part, that part may develop into an entirely new organism. Similar to fragmentation Examples include: sea star/starfish

Examples include: watermelon, strawberries, mint Asexual Reproduction Runners: above-ground stems from which new plants can grow; buds along runners take root and grow into new plants Examples include: watermelon, strawberries, mint

Examples include: potatoes, carrots, beets, turmeric Asexual Reproduction Tuber: Underground stems that can produce new plants after a dormant season Examples include: potatoes, carrots, beets, turmeric

Examples include: spider plant Asexual Reproduction Plantlets: Tiny plants that grow along the edges of a plant’s leaves. These plantlets fall off and grow on their own. Examples include: spider plant

Benefits of Asexual Reproduction Allows the plant to reproduce even when conditions are not right for seed germination Organisms can produce more offspring more quickly Population grows twice as fast; increasing the survival rate Parent does not waste time or energy looking for a mate

Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction Organisms are identical so it is easy for them to get wiped out because they have the same genes. Fewer adaptations because offspring are identical to parent