ACTIVITY( ASSIGNMENT)
Explain the sexual and asexual reproduction. Differentiate the two modes of
reproduction of a cell.
Sexual reproduction, the production of new organisms by the combination of
genetic information of two individuals of different sexes. In most species the genetic
information is carried on chromosomes in the nucleus of reproductive cells
called gametes, which then fuse to form a diploid zygote. The zygote develops into a
new individual. Sexual reproduction is the dominant form of reproduction in living
beings.
Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction in which a new offspring is
produced by a single parent. The new individuals produced are genetically and
physically identical to each other, i.e., they are the clones of their parents.
Asexual reproduction is observed in both multicellular and unicellular organisms. This
process does not involve any kind of gamete fusion and there won’t be any change in
the number of chromosomes either. It will inherit the same genes as the parent,
except for some cases where there is a chance of a rare mutation occurring.
DIFFERENTIATE THE TWO MAIN FORMS OF REPRODUCTION
In sexual reproduction, an organism combines the genetic information from each of
its parents and is genetically unique. In asexual reproduction, one parent copies itself
to form a genetically identical offspring. Sea turtles are an example of an animal that
reproduces sexually, a volvox (green algae) is an example of an organism that
reproduces asexually, and a brittle star can reproduce in either way.
Here’s a diagram for the differences of the two.