Question

compare and contrast the biology of a sexually reproducing organism with another asexually reproducing organism. Or alternatively, find an organism that makes use of both forms of reproduction. For each organism, describe how their reproductive system works and speculate what environmental or social factors might influence this reproductive strategy. For at least one organism, you should also post a link to a popular science article/Wikipedia entry/ and/or video for your classmates to check out.

(200-300 words)

Answer 1

SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE ORGANISM	ASEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE ORGANISM
Two parents required ( male and female).	Only one parent required.
The offspring has a mixed character of parents.	The offspring is similar to the parent.
This process required more energy and a long time.	This process required less energy and less time.
Only meiosis occurs.	In this process, the cell division may be binary fission, budding, or mitosis.
Genetic variation occurs.	Genetic variation does not occur.
It is a complex process.	It is a simple process
This process occurs in higher groups of plants and animals.	This process occurs in a lower group of plants and animals.

There are many organisms that can reproduce both sexually and asexually. It depends on the environmental conditions, availability of parents. When the environmental conditions are favorable the organism goes for sexual reproduction. But when the environmental conditions are not favorable the organism goes for asexual reproduction. In plants Fungi, some Algae, Strawberry plant, etc can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In animals Starfish, Sponges, Amphids can reproduce both sexually and asexually.

Reproduction in Fungi: Naturally the Fungi produce Sporangium. Sporangium contains a large number of spores. When the spores are mature the Sporangium bursts and the spores are spread. Each spore develops in a new mycelium. This is the process of asexual reproduction.

But sometime Fungi can reproduce sexually. The sexual reproduction found in fungi is of three types

1. Isogamy

2. Anisogamy

3. Oogamy

The gametic copulation also found in Fungi. In this process, Gametes are produced which is required for sexual reproduction. After fertilization zygote is produced.

Reproduction in Starfish: The starfish can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In asexual reproduction, fragmentation occurs.

In Starfish the sexual reproduction also occurs. The fertilization is external types. The male Starfish release sperms and the female Starfish release egg. The fertilization occurs in water. After fertilization zygote is produced which can develop into adult Starfish.