Asexual Reproduction

What is reproduction? Reproduction is a process where an organism produces others of the same kind There are two types of reproduction in living organisms: Asexual Sexual What is the difference?

Asexual reproduction The new organism has genetic information that is IDENTICAL to its parent Examples: Regeneration, budding, parthenogenesis

Budding New organisms are produced as a growth from the parent Mostly in marine animals E.g. corals, hydra yeast cell Coral Polyp Photo courtesy Jeffrey N. Jeffords http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/coral1.htm

Regeneration Some animals can re-grow parts Some of these animals can also grow new organisms from the pieces Ex. some worms and sea stars

Parthenogenesis Organisms can be produced from unfertilized eggs E.g. some fish, reptiles, amphibians and aphids. Most of these species can switch between sexual and asexual reproduction (depending on conditions)

Asexual Reproduction It has both advantages and disadvantages- what are some you can think of? Type of Reproduction Advantages Disadvantages ASEXUAL