Asexual Reproduction Question and Answer Ms. Cyr

What is Asexual Reproduction? Asexual reproduction is the formation of a new individual that is genetically identical to the parent. (A clone) Some advantages of asexual reproduction are: only needing one parent to reproduce), and numerous offspring can be produced with little effort. To be classified as a eukaryote, a cell must have a nucleus. A prokaryote cell has no nucleus, and only a single chromosome.

Asexual Reproduction in Bacteria Binary fission is when a parent divides so that both new cells contain a single chromosome. An advantage to having such a short cell cycle is rapid population growth. (Not always good for us!!)

Asexual Reproduction in Protists Protists are different from bacteria because they have a true nucleus. Mitotic cell division in amoebas results in offspring that are genetically identical.

Asexual Reproduction in Fungi Three types of organisms that are classified as fungi are: moulds, yeast and mushrooms. Hyphae grow over the surface of an organism and into the bodies of other organisms to obtain food. Three methods of asexual reproduction in fungi are: Fragmentation: a fragment breaks away and grows into a new individual. Budding: a copy of the nucleus is made; the new nucleus moves into a tiny bud that forms in the cell wall. The bud grows and eventually separates. Spores: contains all genetic information. Leaves the sporangium and can start a new colony.

Asexual Reproduction in Fungi Continued A sporangium provides a place for spores to develop. Spores travel by air currents. Apply your knowledge: Covering food in the fridge helps keep spores out so mould will not spread!

Asexual Reproduction in Animals Animals can be divided into vertebrates (have a backbone: human, dogs, reptiles) and invertebrates (no backbone: sponge, jellyfish) A planarian, if cut into two pieces, will grow into 2 new worms. This happens because of regeneration. Other animals that can reproduce asexually are sponges and hydra.

Asexual Reproduction in Plants The meristem of a plant is where cells that undergo mitosis rapidly are located. Meristematic cells repair damaged cells and are the site for asexual reproduction. Dandelions are difficult to get ride of because when you pull them out, there is often a piece of root left behind that can grow into a new plant.

Asexual Reproduction in Plants Layering is when a branch or limb from the parent plant is buried, and a new plant grows from that spot. (Strawberries) Grafting is when stems are grafted (attached) to roots of another plant, and start to grow.