Asexual versus Sexual Reproduction Close Reading (B)
Directions: Read the information below. Use textual evidence to complete the table comparing asexual
and sexual reproduction answer questions .
Asexual Reproduction occurs when there is only one parent that gives rise to offspring which have the
identical genetic makeup of the parent. It occurs in most single celled organisms such as bacteria and some
multicellular organisms such as fungi and some plants. During asexual reproduction, cell division, or mitosis, is
used to create cells that are genetically identical to each other as well as the parent cell. The two daughter cells of
mitosis contain the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Animals also use mitosis to reproduce body
cells, also known as somatic cells. Somatic cells include all cells with the exception of sperm cells and egg cells.
Sexual Reproduction involves the combining of genetic information from two parents to produce a new
organism that is a combination of both parents. It occurs in most complex organisms. Sex cells, or gametes, are
used to create offspring. Male gametes are sperm cells and female gametes are egg cells. Gametes such as sperm
and egg cells are produced by the process of meiosis. As a result, gametes are not genetically identical to each
other or the parent cell. The four daughter cells of meiosis contain half the number of chromosomes as the parent
cell.
ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Number of parents
Genetic information compared to the
parents
Complexity of organisms that use this
method
Example of an organism that uses this
method
Type of cell division used
Number of daughter cells produced as
a result of cell division
Number of chromosomes in daughter
cells of cell division
Questions:
1. Explain the meaning of the phrase “genetically identical” in the reading.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
Identify the cells in animals that use mitosis to reproduce. _______________________________________________________
3.
Identify the cells that are produced by meiosis. ________________________________________________________________
4.
Contrast cells created by mitosis and meiosis.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Contrast somatic cells and gametes.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Critical Thinking
Some bacteria can exchange genetic material with one another through a process called conjugation. How do
you think offspring produced during conjugation would compare with offspring produced in mitosis?
Asexual versus Sexual Reproduction Close Reading (A)
Directions: Read the information below. Use textual evidence to complete the table comparing asexual
and sexual reproduction answer questions .
Asexual Reproduction occurs when there is only ONE PARENT that gives rise to offspring that is
genetically identical, or has the SAME GENES (DNA) of the parent. It occurs in most single celled
organisms such as bacteria and some multicellular organisms such as fungi and some plants. During asexual
reproduction, cell division, or MITOSIS, is used to create cells that are genetically identical to each other as
(5) well as the parent cell. The TWO daughter cells of mitosis contain the SAME NUMBER OF
CHROMOSOMES AS THE PARENT CELL. Animals also use mitosis to reproduce body cells, also
known as SOMATIC CELLS. Somatic cells include all cells EXCEPT sperm cells and egg cells.
Sexual Reproduction involves the combining of DNA from TWO PARENTS to produce a new
organism that is a combination of both parents. As a result, offspring are not genetically identical to their
(10) parents. It occurs in most complex organisms. Sex cells, or GAMETES, are used to create offspring. Male
gametes are SPERM cells and female gametes are EGG cells. Gametes such as sperm and egg cells are
produced by the process of MEIOSIS. As a result, gametes are not genetically identical to each other or the
parent cell. Gametes have HALF THE NUMBER OF CHROMOSOMES AS THE PARENT CELL.
ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Number of parents (1 or 2)
Genetic information or DNA compared
to the parents
(SAME or DIFFERENT)
How complex organisms that use this
type of reproduction
(COMPLEX or NOT COMPLEX)
EXAMPLE of an organism that uses this
type of reproduction
Type of cell division used
(MITOSIS or MEIOSIS)
The number of daughter cell produced
during cell division
(2 or 4)
Number of chromosomes in daughter
cells of cell division
(SAME # or HALF the #)
Questions:
1. What does “genetically identical” mean? (2)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the name of the cells in animals that use mitosis to reproduce? (6 – 7) _____________________________________
3. What kind of cells are produced by meiosis (10) _______________________________________________________________
4. Fill in the blanks to explain the difference between cells created by mitosis and meiosis.
Cells produced by mitosis have the _________________ number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Cells produced my meiosis
have ______________ the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. (5 – 6, 12 – 13)
Cells produced by mitosis are _________________ identical to the parent cell. Cells produced by meiosis are __________
genetically identical to the parent cell. (4 – 5, 9 - 10)
5. Fill in the blanks to describe the difference between somatic cells and gametes.
Somatic cells are _______________ cells. Gametes are ______________ cells. (6 – 7, 10)
Somatic cells are produced during ____________________. Gametes are produced during ___________________. (6 – 7, 11)
Critical Thinking
Some bacteria can exchange genetic material with one another through a process called conjugation. How do you
think offspring produced during conjugation would compare with offspring produced in mitosis?