Difference between 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

Difference between Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

The difference between sexual and asexual reproduction are as follows:

Asexual Reproduction 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.

It is uniparental. It is usually bi-parental.

Gametes are not formed. Gametes are formed.

Somatic cells of parents are involved. Germ cells of parents are involved.

No fertilization occurs. Fertilization takes place.

No involvement of reproductive organs. Presence of fully developed reproductive
organs.

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.

No evolutionary significance. Has evolutionary significance in the

population.

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.

Interesting Facts about Reproduction

 The record for the longest ever gestation period is held by the elephant which has around
640-660 days as compared to a human’s 280 days.
 The deep-sea male anglerfish bites on to the much larger females and then, the tissues
start to fuse until the male fish looks like just a lump of tissue dangling from the female’s
body. The male anglerfish receives nutrients and the female fish has access to male
sperms to fertilize its eggs.
 Oysters are protandric creatures, this means that they can change from male to female
over the course of their lifetime.
 Abiogenesis is a process that still remains a mystery. It speculates how the first-ever life
arose from non-living matter such as carbon (Organic compounds.)

How is sexual reproduction different from asexual reproduction?

Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes whereas asexual
reproduction does not require male and female individuals and no fusion of gametes takes place.

What are the advantages of asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction has the following advantages:

 It requires less energy.

 It can occur in different environments.
 The reproduction process does not require a longer time.
 It requires only a single individual.
 Identical offspring is produced.

What is the advantage of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction?

Since sexual reproduction requires two individuals, it allows intermingling of genes which is
beneficial for the individuals as well as the entire species. The organisms produced by asexual
reproduction are genetically identical to each other.

What are the different types of asexual reproduction?

The different types of asexual reproduction include:

 Binary fission
 Budding
 Fragmentation
 Vegetative Propagation

What is vegetative propagation?

Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction that occurs in plants in which a new
plant can be grown from any vegetative part of the parent plant. For eg., vegetative propagation
by the stem in ginger, vegetative propagation by leaves in Bryophyllum.
Asexual Reproduction Definition
“Asexual reproduction is the mode of reproduction that is involved in the
production of offsprings by a single parent.”

What is Asexual Reproduction?

Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction in which a new offspring is produced by a single
parent. The new individuals produced are genetically and physically identical to each other, i.e., they
are the clones of their parent.
Asexual reproduction is observed in both multicellular and unicellular organisms. This process does
not involve any kind of gamete fusion and there won’t be any change in the number of chromosomes
either. It will inherit the same genes as the parent, except for some cases where there is a chance of
rare mutation to occur.

Characteristics of Asexual Reproduction

Following are the important features of asexual reproduction:

1. Single parent involved.

2. No fertilization or gamete formation takes place.
3. This process of reproduction occurs in a very short time.
4. The organisms multiply and grow rapidly.
5. The offspring is genetically similar.

Types of Asexual Reproduction

There are different types of asexual reproduction:

 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

Advantages of Asexual Reproduction

Following are the advantages of asexual reproduction:

 Mates not required.

 The process of reproduction is rapid.
 An enormous number of organisms can be produced in very less time.
 Positive genetic influences pass on to successive generations.
 It occurs in various environments.

Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction

The major disadvantages of asexual reproduction are:

 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.

Asexual Reproduction Examples

Following are the examples of asexual reproduction:

 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.