Asexual vs Sexual reproduction & gametes

what is asexual reproduction

• Involves One parent 

• 4 types of asexual reproduction

• 1. budding 2. parthogenesis 3. fission 4. fragmentation

• Cell division, clones identical offspring to parents and siblings

• Uses mitosis 

• Large number of offspring can be produced in a short amount of time

• Needs less energy, time, and is less complex

• low genetic diversity,low genetic variation reduces ability to adapt/evolve. Harmful mutations can be disastrous to the existence of asexually reproducing organisms

What are the 4 types of asexual reproduction

• Fission (divides equal halves) 

• Budding (Bud attaches, grows and detaches)

•  Fragmentation (piece falls off and grows) 

• Parthenogensis (Reproduction from an ovum without fertilisation)

What is sexual reproduction?

• Involves 2 parents

• Joint of specialised cells or gametes, one from each parent

• Uses Meiosis: offspring are similar but not genetically identical to parents or eachother

• 2 parents are needed, takes a while to produce offspring

• More time and energy used, also complex process

• Genetic variation, Species adapt to environmental change= increased survival rate

Describe a Male gamete

• Sperm

• Designed to travel, find the egg, deliver the DNA

• Small

• Motile

  • Has a flagellum to move

  • Swims towards the egg

• Millions produced continuously

• Lots of mitochondria

  • Located in midpiece

  • Provide atp for movement

• Haploid nucleus

  • Carries paternal DNA

Describe a female gamete

• Egg cell/ovum 

• Designed to support early embryo development

• Provide nutrients/cytoplasm

• Large, lots of cytoplasm

• Does not move independently

• Nutrient rich

  • Contains food reserves/matericals

• Few produced

  • One released per cycle

• Haploid nucleus

  • Carries maternal DNA

• Zona pellucida

  • Protective glycoprotein layer

  • Involved in sperm recognition

How are sperm cells adapted for fertilisation?

• Flagellum for movement.

• Many mitochondria in the midpiece to provide ATP.

• Haploid nucleus carrying paternal DNA.

• Acrosome contains enzymes that help penetrate the egg.

How are egg cells adapted for fertilisation and early development?

• Large with abundant cytoplasm.

• Contains nutrient reserves for early embryo development.

• Haploid nucleus carrying maternal DNA.

• Surrounded by the zona pellucida, which protects the egg and helps with sperm recognition.