Reproduction is necessary for the continuation of every species.

Every organism alive today comes from a long line of ancestors who reproduced successfully every generation

Reproduction is the transfer of genetic information from one generation to the next.

Reproduction can occur with mixing of genes from two individuals (sexual reproduction).

In sexual reproduction, a single specialized cell from a female (egg) merges with a specialized cell from a male (sperm). Typically, half of the genes come from each parent. The fertilized cell, carrying genetic information from each parent, multiplies to form the complete organism. The same genetic information is copied in each cell of the new organism.

In sexual reproduction, new combinations of traits are produced which may increase or decrease an organism’s chances for survival.

Plants can reproduce sexually.

Sexual reproduction does not always require two individuals

Sexual Reproduction

Mitosis and meiosis are processes by which genetic material is copied and divided in asexual or sexual reproduction

Meiosis (mīˈōsəs) produces sex cells containing half the genetic material of the parent cell

In asexual reproduction, all genes come from a single parent, which usually means the offspring are genetically identical to their parent, allowing genetic continuity.

Reproduction can occur with the transfer of genes from one individual to the next generation (asexual reproduction).

In asexual reproduction, all genes come from a single parent, which means the offspring are genetically identical to their parent, allowing genetic continuity.

Mitosis ( mīˈtōsəs) produces daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell

Simpler forms of life such as bacteria, amoebas, and yeast cells reproduce asexually. Two methods of asexual reproduction are fission and budding

In fission, the cell divides into two equal daughter cells.

In budding, a small growth on the parent becomes a daughter cell.

An important type of assexual reproduction for farmers and flower growers is called vegetative reproduction. In this method of reproduction, flowering plants produce new plants from their roots, stems, or leaves.

One example is the tuber. The potato is a tuber. It is really part of an underground stem of the plant. Each potato has several buds on it called eyes. Each bud can grow into a new potato plant.

Bulbs, such as onions, are also underground stems. Small bulblets form at the bottom of the bulb. These can be broken off and planted. Some flowers such as tulips and daffodils also reproduce in this way.

Strawberry plants produce runners. Runners are stems that grow horizontally near the ground which will take root and produce a new plant.

Parthenogenesis is a type of asexual reproduction in which the offspring develops from unfertilized eggs. It is particularly common amongst arthropods and rotifers, can also be found in some species of fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles, but not in mammals.

Komodo dragon, Varanus komodoensis, is confirmed to be able to reproduce naturally by parthenogenesis.

A lone female shark has produced a pup without ever having come into contact with a male shark. The white-tipped reef shark, named Ibolya by staff, has been on her own at the Nyiregyhaza Center in Hungary since she was born seven years ago.

The ability to reproduce defines living things.