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Sexual and Asexual Reproduction
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction
Living organisms, which include humans, animals, plants, algae, fungi and other microorganisms
reproduce as a law of nature, a means of ensuring the survival of the species and in the context of
evolution. There are two major classifications of reproduction: sexual and asexual reproduction.
Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Vertebrates, such as humans, exclusively follow
sexual reproduction. Many simpler animals such as amoeba follow asexual reproduction.
Asexual Reproduction
Asexual reproduction spans a variety of methods. The simplest single-celled organisms such as
archaea, and bacteria, reproduce by binary fission. In this process, the cells simply divide in half,
creating a clone of the parent. This method also holds the benefit of being very quick and energy-
efficient. For example, bacteria that reproduce by binary fission can give rise to progeny every
few hours. Multiple fission also exists, in which an organism splits into more than one
offsprings. Certain species of algae and protozoans exhibit multiple fission.
While in multicellular organisms, a similar method called fragmentation is observed. In this
process, small pieces break off and grow into new organisms. Another method
involves budding, which produces a completely new organism and remains attached to the
original body or develops from the original body. A common thread in all this is that the
offspring is a direct clone of the parent. The purpose of reproduction, as we’re well aware, is to
propagate one’s own genes. Evolutionarily, asexual reproduction is a good bet for the species. It
is quick, simple and the genes of the parent will not be diluted by those of another individual.
Also, an organism that reproduces asexually can reproduce about twice as fast as one that
reproduces sexually.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction is the combination of reproductive cells from two individuals to form a third
unique offspring. Sexual reproduction produces offspring with a different combination of genes.
One must understand that sexual reproduction is a lot more complex than asexual reproduction.
It includes the production of gametes, which have half the number of chromosomes compared to
all other cells in the organism. They are produced by the process of meiosis, which produces
haploid cells from diploid cells. There occurs crossing over and recombination of genes.
Switching from chromosomes to chromosomes is a good way to ensure that the genes will
remain active in a given population. Besides these, factors like gestation period also play an
important role in sexual reproduction. The gestation period is the time required for the foetus to
fully develop either internally (like in the mother’s womb) or externally (like an egg).
Also Read: Sexual Reproduction
Occurs in prokaryotic microorganisms and in some Occurs almost in all types of multicellular
eukaryotic unicellular and multicellular organisms, lower organisms including humans, animals, and
invertebrates and plants higher plants.
Somatic cells of parents are involved. Germ cells of parents are involved.
Only mitosis type of cell division occurs. Both meiosis and mitosis type of cell division
occurs.
The progeny and the parent are genetically identical. The progenies will be genetically different
from the parents.
Characteristics of only one parent are inherited. Characteristics of both parents are inherited.
The genes and genetic material are just multiplied and The genetic material undergoes intermixing
passed on to new organisms from the parent. from both parents to form a new set of genetic
material.
Multiplication is very rapid and takes less time. Multiplication is not so rapid and takes a
longer time to complete.
The number of offsprings produced may vary from two to The number of offsprings produced is
many. comparatively lower.
Bacterial fission, fragmentation, spore formation, budding Syngamy, external fertilization, and
of hydra are different types of asexual reproduction. conjugation are different types of sexual
reproduction.
Binary fission
Budding
Fragmentation
Vegetative Propagation
Binary Fission
Budding
Fragmentation
Vegetative Propagation
Sporogenesis
Binary Fission
The term “fission” means “to divide”. During binary fission, the parent cell divides into two cells. The
cell division patterns vary in different organisms, i.e., some are directional while others are non-
directional. Amoeba and euglena exhibit binary fission.
It is one of the simplest and uncomplicated methods of asexual reproduction. The parent cell divides
into two, each daughter cell carrying a nucleus of its own that is genetically identical to the parent.
The cytoplasm also divides leading to two equal-sized daughter cells. The process repeats itself and
the daughter cells grow and further divide.
Fragmentation
Fragmentation is another mode of asexual reproduction exhibited by organisms such as spirogyra,
planaria etc. The parent body divides into several fragments and each fragment develops into a new
organism.
Regeneration
Regeneration is the power of growing a new organism from the lost body part. For eg., when a lizard
loses its tail, a new tail grows. This is because the specialized cells present in the organism can
differentiate and grow into a new individual. Organisms like hydra and planaria exhibit regeneration.
Budding
Budding is the process of producing an individual through the buds that develop on the parent body.
Hydra is an organism that reproduces by budding. The bud derives nutrition and shelter from the
parent organism and detaches once it is fully grown.
Vegetative Propagation
Asexual reproduction in plants occurs through their vegetative parts such as leaves, roots, stem, and
buds. This is called vegetative propagation. For example, potato tubers, runners/stolon, onion bulbs,
etc., all reproduce through vegetative propagation.
Spore Formation
Spore formation is another means of asexual reproduction. During unfavourable conditions, the
organism develops sac-like structures called sporangium that contain spores. When the conditions
are favourable, the sporangium burst opens and spores are released that germinate to give rise to
new organisms.
In asexual reproduction, a single cell is divided to produce offspring. The simple cell-by-cell division
is not possible in multicellular organisms. Most of the multicellular organisms have a complex body
design. They have a higher level of organization like tissues, organs and organ system. Thus, they
need a special mode for reproduction.
Also Read: Modes of Reproduction
Lack of diversity. Since the offsprings are genetically identical to the parent they are more
susceptible to the same diseases and nutrient deficiencies as the parent. All the negative
mutations persist for generations.
Since only one organism is involved, the diversity among the organisms is limited.
They are unable to adapt to the changing environment.
A single change in the environment would eliminate the entire species.
Bacterium undergoes binary fission in which the cell divides into two along with the nucleus.
Blackworms or mudworms reproduce through fragmentation.
Hydras reproduce through budding.
Organisms such as copperheads undergo parthenogenesis.
Sugarcane can be grown through vegetative propagation.