Asexual reproduction

Reproduction

The process of parents producing new offspring by a sexual or asexual  process.
Some organisms can do both. 
In BOTH processes, parent DNA  is passed to the offspring.

DNA

DNA is the genetic information which programs cells to function in certain ways. 
Inherited by parent in reproduction

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction and DNA comes from one parent.

The offspring = clone of parent
It always involves mitosis or budding

Advantages of Asexual Reproduction 

offspring ALWAYS carry ALL of the parents positive traits

it is a rapid process

no time/ energy wasted finding a partner.

a single organism → big colony 

pollination not need by asexual plants

Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction 

offspring always carry all of the parent’s traits i.e no genetic variation

Lack of genetic diversity. This lowers the species adaptability to changed environmental conditions.

Less time & energy to reproduce → to a population explosion.

Genetic variation

is the differences in DNA sequences among individuals of the same species.

→ development of different characteristics → increase the species ability to adapt to change environments + resist diseases.

important survival & adaptation of species

Asexual reproduction GV

Genetic variation = mutations only

There is little variation in the population

4 types of asexual reproduction

Budding

Spore formation

Fragmentation

Parthenogenesis

Sporulation

formation and release of asexual spores e.g. ferns and mosses can reproduce asexually through sporulation.

vegetative propagation

a new plant grows from a fragment or cutting of the parent plant.

• Runners (above ground stem)

• Rhizome (below ground stem)

• Plantlets (Leaf propagation)

• Tubers e.g potato

• Bulbs e.g. onion

• Root sucker

Mitoses

cell divides → 2 genetically identical daughter cells, each with the normal amount of the DNA. Used for:

growth, repair, asexual reproduction

6 stages

Binary Fission

single-cell organism reproduction by division → two identical daughter cells, each with a copy of the parent’s DNA.