Asexual Reproduction
Produces an offspring that is identical to
the parent
WHAT IS IT?
Asexual reproduction usually
happens very quickly. Large
numbers of offspring are often
produced. There are several
types of asexual reproduction.
Binary fission, budding,spore
formation, regenerations and
vegetative propagations.
ADVANTAGES
 Rapid reproduction rates are possible.
 Only one organism is needed to reproduce.
 Works well for organisms that stay in one place,
do not need to find a mate.
 Exact copy of parent
 Takes less energy/safe
DISADVANTAGES
 Genetic variability is limited.
 Population is susceptible to massive extinction.
 Easier to overgrow resources, limiting factors.
 More difficult to adapt to environmental changes.
TYPES OF ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
 Binary fission
 Budding
 Spores
 Regeneration
 Vegetative propagation
 Cloning
BINARY FISSION

This is the simplest form of asexual reproduction. The
parent cell simply divides into two parts that are about
equal. Each of the new cells, called daughter cells,
becomes a separate individual. Each of the new
offspring then grows to a normal size. Binary Fission is
the usual method of reproduction of one celled
organisms including protozoa, bacteria, and many
algae. This is the process by which many multi-celled
organisms grow.
BUDDING
 New individual develop as small growths or buds
on the surface of the parent organism. The new
organism may break off and live independently
or remain attached and live as a colony.
Budding is different from binary fission because
the offspring and parent are not the same size.
Yeast, hydra, sponges and some worms
reproduce by budding. Yeast and hydra can also
reproduce sexually.
SPORES
 Spores are special cells that some individual
organisms produce. A thick, tough outer coating
that protects the inner cell usually surround
spores. When released by the parent, each
spore may grow into a separate individual.
Fungi, algae and protozoa can reproduce by
spore formation.
REGENERATION
 This is the ability to re-grow lost body parts.
Starfish, earthworms, hydra and planarian can
regenerate lost body parts. If a hydra is cut in
half, each half can regenerate into a new
individual. A planarian that is cut into several
pieces will regenerate into several new worms.
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION
 This occurs when the new cells separate from
the parent and form a complete independent
individual. Plants can reproduce asexually be
vegetative propagation. Plants also reproduce
sexually by seeds. Roots, stems and leaves are
called vegetative structures. Some plants
reproduce vegetatively by special structures
such as bulbs, corms, tubers, runners, and
rhizomes.
PARTHENOGENESIS
 Some animals may produce eggs that develop
directly into offspring without fertilization.
Common examples occur in insects, reptiles,
and fishes. Often, these organisms may also
reproduces sexually. The “choice” between
sexual and asexual reproduction is typically
mediated by environmental conditions.
CLONING

Cloning a a scientifically engineered reproductive
technology that involves infusing the genetic material
from a parent organism into and egg (nucleus removed)
of another cell. Cell division is then stimulated using
electrical current, which induces the cell to divide and
develop in an embryo. The cloning of plants ensure
that the new plants will be exact copies of the parent
plant. Recently cloning technology was used to
successfully clone a sheep—Dolly.
ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION GUIDE
ORGANISM
TYPE
DESCRIPTION
Whiptail lizards
Parthenogenesis
A female lizard may produce eggs that develop into
genetically identical versions of itself.
Bacteria
Fission
A single-celled organism that has no nuclei or cell walls
and reproduce by splitting in two.
Spider Plant
Strawberries
Vegetative Propagation
Spider plants reproduce new plants by the division of
cells from rot or runners. These can be place in water or
soil to produce another plant. Spider plants and
strawberries also reproduce sexually.
Some flatworms
Fragmentation
Some flatworms can grow by cell division from a
fragmented section of body.
Blue-green algae
Fission
A single celled organism that reproduces by splitting in
two.
Hydra
Budding
Cell division forms a bud that is an identical copy of its
single parent that separates from the parent and become
independent.
Sexual Reproduction
 Two parent cells join together to form offspring
that are genetically different from the parents.
Advantage
 Diversity among populations.
~ One disease won’t kill everyone.
Disadvantage
 Two parent cells are necessary
~ Why is that a bad thing?
- finding mates, energy, safety, etc
Compare/Contrast
Sexual Reproduction
 Advantage
Asexual Reproduction

Diversity in the
population

Disadvantage
Two parent cells are
necessary
Why is that a bad thing?

Advantage
Fast, safe, many
offspring, only one parent
needed, EXACT copy of
parent
Disadvantage
Not diverse, whole
populations can be wiped
out, can’t adapt well
Examples: binary fission,
budding, cloning,
regeneration