Name:
Date:
Subject:
Sexual vs. Asexual Reproduction
Objectives
Objective 1: ASWBAT identify the number of parents required and how the offspring
compare to the parents genetically in both asexual and sexual reproduction.
Objective 2: ASWBAT describe three types of asexual reproduction.
Objective 3: ASWBAT describe advantages and disadvantages for both sexual and asexual
reproduction.
On a scale of 1 – 3 how well you can do on this objective now.
(1 – Not at all
2 – I know it a little bit
3 – I know it very well)
Objective: 1
Objective: 2
Objective: 3
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Key Vocabulary Words
On a scale of 1 – 3 how well you know the vocabulary words below.
(1 – Not at all 2 – I know it a little bit 3– I know it very well)
Reproduction
Sexual Reproduction
Asexual Reproduction
Binary Fission
Fragmentation
Budding
Genetic Variation
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Pre-quiz
Do your best to answer the following questions.
1. What are sex cells for? How many chromosomes do they have?
Answer:
2. What are the male and female sex cells called?
Answer:
3. What is fertilization?
Answer:
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Asexual Reproduction
Asexual reproduction produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent
organism. We call them clones. This doesn’t mean that they are exactly the same, it just
means that they have the same DNA or genes. Asexual reproduction requires only 1
parent so asexually reproducing organisms do not require males. Unicellular organisms
reproduce asexually, including prokaryotes, and unicellular eukaryotes. Many plants and
fungus can reproduce asexually as well. Some animals can asexually reproduce, but it is
much less common.
1. How many parents are required in asexual reproduction?
Answer:
2. How do the offspring compare to the parent organism in asexual reproduction?
Answer:
Types of Asexual Reproduction
There are three main types of asexual reproduction, binary fission, fragmentation and
budding.
Binary Fission
Unicellular organisms use binary fission. In binary fission the parent cell is replaced by
two daughter cells, when it divides in two. Prokaryotes (bacteria) and unicellular
eukaryotes reproduce this way. Binary fission is when unicellular organisms split into two
new cells.
Binary Fission
(Eukaryotes)
1 Parent Cell
Binary Fission
(Prokaryotes)
Two Daughter Cells
Video Link: Binary Fission - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY9DNWcqxI4
Fragmentation
Some organisms have the ability to regrow into a new organism from small fragments of
an organism. Each fragment or piece grows into an new genetically identical organism.
This type of reproduction is called fragmentation. This type of reproduction can
sometimes happen when an organism is injured. Many plants and some animals can
reproduce through fragmentation.
Fragmentation of Planarian Worm
Parent
Budding
Budding is a type of asexual reproduction where a new organism that grows from an
outgrowth or bud of the parent organism. Just like all asexual reproduction, the new
organism is a clone of the parent. This type of reproduction is very common in plants, but
some animals can also reproduce this way.
Budding of a Hydra
Parent
Clone
Video Link: Hydra Budding - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5oHMjGqjyo
1. What is binary fission?
Answer:
2. What is fragmentation?
Answer:
3. What is budding?
Answer:
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction is the combining of the genetic information of two parent organisms
to create offspring that are a genetic mix of the parent. Sexual reproduction requires
the creation of sex cells, which carry half of the chromosomes from each of the two
parents. The sex cells are created during a process called meiosis.
1. How many parents are required in sexual reproduction?
Answer:
2. How do the offspring compare to the parents in sexual reproduction?
Answer:
Video: Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk2RJm5RBEk
Advantages and Disadvantages
Both asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction have their advantages and
disadvantages. They both have trade offs of quantity or diversity.
Asexual Reproduction – (Advantages and Disadvantages)
Advantages
 Allows an organism to reproduce more often
 Requires less energy because it does not require the production of sex cells or males
Disadvantages
 Creates offspring that are genetically identical to the parents so they adapt much
slower to the changing environment
Sexual Reproduction – (Advantages and Disadvantages)
Advantages
 Creates offspring that are a genetic mix of the parents so they adapt to changes in the
environment faster
 Creates genetic variation in the species
Disadvantages
 Requires more energy because it requires the creation of sex cells and males
 Takes more time for the organism to reproduce so they reproduce less often
1. What is one advantage of asexual reproduction?
Answer:
2. What is one disadvantage of asexual reproduction?
Answer:
3. What is one advantage of sexual reproduction?
Answer:
4. What is one disadvantage of sexual reproduction?
Answer:
Quiz
Directions: Answer the following questions to see if you met the objectives.
1. How many parents does asexual reproduction require?
Answer:
2. How do the offspring compare to the parents in asexual reproduction?
Answer:
3. How many parents does sexual reproduction require?
Answer:
4. How do the offspring compare to the parents in sexual reproduction?
Answer:
5. What is binary fission?
Answer:
6. What is fragmentation?
Answer
7. What is budding?
Answer:
8. Name one advantage and one disadvantage to asexual reproduction.
Answer:
9. Name one advantage and one disadvantage to sexual reproduction.
Answer: