Cell Division: Asexual Reproduction

Asexual and Sexual Why do cells divide? Reproduction – Pass on genetic information There are 2 types of organism reproduction: Asexual and Sexual

Create offspring from one parent organism Asexual Reproduction Create offspring from one parent organism Using basic cell division - Mitosis Rapid and effective reproduction method Cells are “clones” – genetically identical Mitosis IS asexual reproduction: making an identical copy (offspring) from an existing cell (parent)

A parent cell becomes two genetically identical offspring cells Types of Asexual Reproduction: 1. Binary Fission: The process by which a unicellular organism divides by mitosis into two equal halves Bacteria (like E. Coli) A parent cell becomes two genetically identical offspring cells Remember: even though we call this “binary fission” it is still just a simplified Mitosis

2. Budding Types of Asexual Reproduction: In Unicellular organisms: similar to binary fission BUT the division is not equal Ex. Yeast In Multicellular organisms, a miniature version of the organism grows directly on the adult When large enough, simply detaches & becomes an independent organism Ex. Hydra

3. Sporulation Types of Asexual Reproduction: The process by which an organism produces reproductive spores (cells) by mitosis. The organism stores these spores in SPORANGIA, which burst open to release spores Spores are capable of producing adult organism Ex. Bread mold In specific types of plants, sporulation can be a form of sexual reproduction

Ex. Strawberry plants, willow branches, vegetable cuttings etc. Types of Asexual Reproduction: 4. Vegetative Propagation The process by which a new organism is created from roots, stems, or leaves of plants Ex. Strawberry plants, willow branches, vegetable cuttings etc.

Types of Asexual Reproduction: 5. Regeneration The process by which a multicellular organism is divided into fragments. Each fragment becomes a new organism by regenerating the parts that are missing Ex. Star fish

Agricultural Uses of Asexual Reproduction Video: 20 mins Cloning a Plant Experiment

Full set of Chromosomes Full set of Chromosomes MITOSIS – in general P M A T Parent cell: Full set of Chromosomes Remember: ALL asexual methods of reproduction are just fancy Mitosis Daughter cells: Full set of Chromosomes 2 identical daughter cells

PROS – Asexual Reproduction – CONS No diversity in organisms clones are vulnerable to disease/environment Large number of offspring made very quickly Each offspring will be successful clones are well adapted Little possibility for evolution clones are identical Stay close together colonies build if nutrients are present Can lead to overcrowding starvation if not enough nutrients No need to waste energy finding a sexual partner ?

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? S1-1-01: Why do cells divide and how does it work? Vocabulary & Concepts  Interphase Mitosis Cytokinesis Asexual Binary Fission