Asexual Reproduction Flashcards
What is the definition of Asexual Reproduction?
is the reproduction of an offspring from only one parent
What does ‘natural cloning’ mean of an offspring?
Its means that the offsprings are identical or ‘clones’ of the parent
How do prokaryotes uses asexual reproduction?
use it to produce new offspring by binary fission
How do eukaryotes uses asexual reproduction?
they reproduces asexually via mitosis
Number of parents of parental contribution in Asexual Reproduction
One
Number of parents of parental contribution in Sexual Reproduction
Two
Process involved in Asexual Reproduction
Binary fission (prokaryotes), cell replication with mitosis (eukaryotes)
Process involved in Sexual Reproduction
Gamete Production involving meiosis (eukaryotes)
Is Fertilisation absent or present in Asexual Reproduction?
Absent
Is Fertilisation absent or present in Sexual Reproduction?
Present
Offsprings in Asexual Reproduction
No genetic variability, offsprings are clones of a single parent
Offsprings in Sexual Reproduction
Offsprings differ from one another and their parents
Rate of offspring production in Asexual Reproduction
Faster
Rate of offspring production in Sexual Reproduction
Slower
Advantages of Asexual Reproduction
- Rapid population growth
- Only one single organism is required- no need to find a mate
- Every member of the population can give rise to offsprings (either male or female)
Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction
- No genetic variation
- If conditions change and become unfavourable, organisms may die out or if a diseases spreads through the population
- If organisms are genetically identical, this reduces the chance or ability of an organism adapting to a new environment or conditions.
Examples of species that can use BOTH Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Many insects (aphids), algae, most plants and fungi species
Using BOTH Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Some species can change depending on season for example when conditions are favourable, reproduce asexually to build population numbers but if conditions change, reproduce sexually to increase genetic variability to ensure survival
Examples of Asexual Reproduction:
- Binary Fission (prokaryotes)
- Splitting in single celled eukaryotes
- Spore formation in fungi
- Natural cloning in animals
- Budding and Virgin birth
- Vegetative Reproduction
Binary Fission (prokaryotes)
Is the splitting of a prokaryote into 2
Why do prokaryotes through binary fission grow rapidly and exponentially?
Due to the simplicity and providing conditions are favourable they can grow rapidly and exponentially.
How do unicellular eukaryotes such as Amoeba and Paramecium divide by asexual reproduction?
This process is also referred to as binary fission but different to the prokaryotic process, as it involves the process of mitosis.
Budding
Involves the detachment of a small group of cells that move and set up elsewhere.
Examples of organisms that use budding to increase their population:
Sponges and Hydra
Parthenogenesis (also termed ‘Virgin birth’)
Reproduction occurs without fertilisation. The egg is produced without the sperm and via mitosis.
Examples of organisms that use parthenogenesis:
Many insects or aphids and invertebrates. Often rarely seen in vertebrate animals such as Whiptail Lizard. TYPICALLY IN AN ALL FEMALE POPULATION>