Question

Compare and contrast asexual and sexual reproduction methods, and describe various types of asexual reproduction.

Answer 1

	Asexual reproduction	Sexual reproduction
Definition	do not involve formation and fusion of gametes	occurs baby formation and fusion of gametes
# progenies	many	one to few
Time period	rapid	slow
Variations	no, progenies are clones	yes, progenies of the same parent are different from one another and also from the parent
Processes undertaken	mitosis and amitotic division	mitosis and meiosis
# parent(s)	one	two

Mode of asexual reproduction

Binary fission

The process by which a single parent cell divides into two daughter cells. The daughter cells are genetically identical to each other. The process occurs after the replication of DNA. The division of cell does not involve formation of spindle fibres and therefore is amitotic. It occurs in mitochondria, chloroplast and bacteria and yeast.

Budding

It is the process by which an outgrowth which is called as bud begins to grow from the mother cell. When the bud grows, it is detached from the mother cell and gross as a new organism. It is seen in organisms like hydra.

Fragmentation

It is the process by which an organism is able to regenerate itself. If the organism is broken from anywhere, it regenerates into a complete organism. It is seen in organisms like planaria.

Parthenogenesis

It is the process by which female parent is able to give rise to progeny without formation and fusion of gametes. It is seen in in animals like ants and bees and this type of progeny is haploid.

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