1. Asexual reproduction

2. OVERVIEW Clone: identical genetic copy of parents
Bread mold comes from a single mold spore
duplicate tree growing from the bottom of another tree
Asexual Reproduction: only 1 parent is required to produce offspring

4. Clones can also be created artificially (agricultural or horticultural industries, or biomedical labs)
create heartier breeds and increase plant production
Clone healthy genes to replace mutated ones
Potentially cloning the genes of extinct animals like Tasmanian Tigers!
We might be able to use cloning to reproduce extinct species like Tasmanian tigers!

6. Types of Asexual Reproduction
There are 5 main methods of asexual reproduction:
Binary Fission
Budding
Fragmentation
Vegetative Reproduction
Spore Formation

7. 1. Binary Fission
A single parent cell replicates its genetic material, dividing into 2 equal parts
Method used by small, one-celled eukaryotic organisms
like amoeba
Ex.: Amoebas
Have between 30-40
chromosomes
Chromosomes duplicated during
mitosis

8. Binary fission is the only method of reproduction for some bacteria!
No nucleus = no mitosis!
Instead, one ring of DNA is
replicated...
Under ideal conditions, it can
replicate every 20 min.
Ex. Streptococcus bacteria

9. Mutations can occur
during binary fission!
Mutations in the DNA
of bacteria can make
it very resistance to
antibiotics

10. 2. Budding
Areas of an individual undergo mitosis and cell division, developing into an identical organism
Used by some multicellular organisms (hydras and sponges) that only have a few different cell types
The “buds” might detach from the parent and become a new individual OR remain attached

11. 1. Hydra develops a “bud”
2. The bud develops a
mouth and tentacles
3. When it’s fully formed
the daughter hydra
detaches from parent
4. The daughter is fully
independent

12. Budding is great for organisms like sponges because they attach to rocks and move very little. Colonies can grow in the same area or break off and colonize new locations.

13. 3. Fragmentation
Occurs when a piece of an organism breaks apart (ex. injury) and each fragment develops into a clone of the parent
Ex.: Starfish
If a broken arm contains enough DNA it can develop into an identical copy

14. Plants can also reproduce by fragmentation IF the environment doesn’t change and
IF there are enough
nutrients available.
Example: Eurasian milfoil
Introduced to North America
Chopped up by propellers and spread through lakes

15. 4. Vegetative Reproduction
Occurs when special cells (usually in plant stems and roots) divide repeatedly to form structures that will eventually develop into an identical plant
Develop off of the bulb
or as sprouts (“eyes”)
Ex.: Tulips, daffodils,
hyacinth bulbs, and
potatoes

16. Disadvantage
Daughter plants grow very close to parent plants
Will compete for soil, nutrients, and light

17. Benefits of Vegetative Reproduction
Potatoes
#1 tuber crop in world
Used globally
Common Camas
An important part of the First Nations diet
Also used for trading

18. Human Assisted Methods of Vegetative Reproduction
CUTTINGS
The plant grower removes a part of the stem (or leaf/root) and plants the cutting in a special growing medium
Plant hormones, which are chemical messengers, are often applied to the cut stem
Hormones signal nuclei to stimulate cell division, causing some cells to develop into root tissue
House plants can reproduce in this method

20. 2. GRAFTING
Stems called “scions” are attached to the rooted stock (“rootstock”) of a similar plant
Often used for apple trees and rose plants
Another form called “budding” is used to grow apple trees

21. Advantages:
Can help scion benefit from a more rigorous root
system
Produce fruit
within 2-3 years
instead of 5-10
years
Helps control
eventual size of
plant

22. 5. SPORE FORMATION
Method used by some bacteria, micro-organisms, fungi (ex. bread mold), mosses, and ferns
Reproduction through the formation of single-celled spores
Spores: a reproductive cell that grows into a new individual by mitosis
Very light in weight
Rely on wind or water for
transportation

23. If conditions are right (enough moisture and food, and proper temperature) a new individual will grow wherever it lands
Many spores have tough outer coatings that allow them to survive in harsh conditions (drought or extreme temp.) until the conditions are right

24. Summary of Asexual Reproduction