Biology Unit 1: Genetics - Asexual Reproduction

Genetics

The study of heredity, the process in which a parent passes certain genes onto their children

Characteristics of Asexual reproduction

• It is the production of offspring from a single parent

• The genetic makeup of the offspring is identical to its parent

• It is most common among unicellular organisms and some multicellular organisms like fungi and plants

Examples of Asexual reproduction

1) Roots or shoots
2) Budding
3) Parthenogenesis

Roots or shoots (+ Two characteristics)

This includes some plants like strawberries, which grow runners (above-ground stems) and produce new plants.

→ This occurs through mitosis where one cell divides into two identical cells

→ The new plant is genetically identical to its parent

2) Budding (+Example)

It is when a parent organism develops an outgrowth from their body, an example is Hydra.

→ When the bud/outgrowth is large enough, it will detach and begin living freely

→ The outgrowth is genetically identical to the parent Hydra

3) Parthenogenesis

Reproduction of an ovum without fertilization 

An example, aphid, have population that are mostly females

→ Aphids can give birth to genetically identical offspring without the help of males

Advantages of Asexual Reproduction

- Time and energy efficient

- Offsprings are all identical

- Can produce large population

- Only require one parent

Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction:

- Lack of diversity

- Change of environment can lead to extinction

- Lower adaptability

- One genetic mutation can lead to offsprings that have the same disease, wiping the entire population out