Asexual Reproduction Type of reproduction by which offspring arise from a single organism. Produced by mitosis. Offspring inherit the genes of only one parent. The offspring is genetically identical (uniform)of the parent. © KeslerScience.com

Asexual Reproduction – Mitosis Results in two daughter cells having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent cell. Cell goes through different phases before becoming clones of parent. © KeslerScience.com

Binary Fission Common in prokaryotes (organisms with no nucleus) Occurs in some single- celled eukaryotes (with a nucleus) Fully grown parent cell splits into two halves, producing two new cells Examples: bacteria and amoeba, and euglena © KeslerScience.com

Budding Offspring grows out of the body of the parent (buds) Example: hydras © KeslerScience.com

Fragmentation The body of the parent breaks into distinct pieces. Each piece can produce an offspring. Example: planarians © KeslerScience.com

Regeneration If a piece of a parent is detached, it can grow and develop into a completely new offspring. Example – some starfish © KeslerScience.com

Vegetative Reproduction A process by which new organisms arise without production of seeds or spores Example: some plants, potatoes © KeslerScience.com

Advantages of Asexual Reproduction Good for organisms that are not mobile and cannot look for a mate. Numerous offspring without “costing” the parent great amount to energy. Organisms produce quicker. © KeslerScience.com

Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction Lacks genetic variation. Because organisms are the same, they share the same weaknesses. If the environment changes, there may not be time to adapt quickly enough to survive. © KeslerScience.com

Sexual Reproduction Type of reproduction by which offspring arise from two parents. Gametes are formed by meiosis. © KeslerScience.com

Sexual Reproduction - Meiosis A type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the parent cell by half and produces four gamete cells. Required to produce egg and sperm cells for sexual reproduction © KeslerScience.com

Advantages of Sexual Reproduction Leads to genetic variations in new generations, which is fundamental for environmental adaptation. Organism is more protected – does not necessarily have the weakness of parent. Removes bad genes from the population. © KeslerScience.com

Disadvantages of Sexual Reproduction Organism must find a mate. Takes longer time to reproduce. Can prevent favorable genes from being passed down. Produces fewer offspring. © KeslerScience.com

Some Organisms Reproduce Both Ways Some plants and animals can reproduce both ways. There are benefits to this adaptation. What might they be? Plant examples: fungi, strawberries, daffodils Animal examples: starlet sea anemone, jellyfish, sponges © KeslerScience.com