Sexual Vs Asexual Reproduction Flashcards
Define parthenogenesis
Virgin birth
Define asexual reproduction
Reproduction not involving the union of male and female gametes
Sexual reproduction…
…involves in the fusion of male and female sex cells.
Advantages of sexual reproduction:
- genetic variety
- more parental care (generally)
Disadvantages of sexual reproduction:
- costly in terms of energy (e.g. competition)
- vulnerable to predators
- disease transmission
- slow (less population growth)
- few offspring
Advantages of asexual reproduction:
- fast/many
- low energy expenditure
- no need to find a mate
- no STDs
Disadvantages of asexual reproduction:
- produces clones
- can’t escape genetic problems
- less parental care
Which type of reproduction is better in a STABLE environment?
Asexual - continue a ‘good thing’, not needing to adapt
Which type of reproduction is better in a CHANGING environment?
Sexual - for genetic variation to adapt
Asexual reproduction is all about….
…exploiting a good niche
What form of asexual reproduction to bacteria use?
Binary fission
Give 2 examples of species that reproduce by budding
Jellyfish and hydra
Name to animals that reproduce by fragmentation
Starfish and worms
What type of sexual reproduction do FUNGI and FERNS use?
Spores