Sexual and asexual reproduction

Sexual reproduction

The production of new living organisms by fusing gametes and by combining the genetic material of two individual parents

Asexual reproduction

The production of new living organisms that are genetically identical to the parent, does not involve the fusion of gametes

Binary fission

A method of asexual reproduction that is carried out by single-celled organisms such as bacteria

Gametes

A male or female organism's reproductive cells such as the sperm and egg in animals or pollen and egg in plants

Role of gametes

Carries genetic information in the form of a single set of chromosomes, which combines with another gamete's to make a complete diploid set

Fertilisation

The fusion of the nucleus of a male gamete with the nucleus of a female gamete that results in the development of a new living organism

Haploid cell

Gamete cells that have a singly copy of each chromosome, which is 23 chromosomes in humans

Diploid cell

Body cells that have two complete copies of each chromosome, which is 23 pairs or a total of 46 chromosomes in humans

Meiosis

A type of cell division that results in four non-identical daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell

When meiosis occurs

During the formation of gamete cells in preparation for sexual reproduction

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in the formation of two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell

When mitosis occurs

During asexual reproduction or the growth and repair of an organism's tissues, by producing new body cells

Body cell

A typical cell with two complete copies of each chromosome, that is not involved in reproduction

Identical offspring

The result of asexual reproduction where the process of mitosis leads to genetically identical individuals or clones

Non-identical offspring

The result of sexual reproduction where the process of meiosis leads to individuals with genetic variations

Genetic variation

Differences in the DNA between individuals which can result in different displayed characteristics

Features of meiosis

Two stages of division, four non-identical daughter cells produced, 23 chromosomes in each haploid cell, needed for sexual reproduction, occurs in gonads

Features of mitosis

One stage of division, two identical daughter cells produced, 46 chromosomes in each diploid cell, involved in asexual reproduction, can occur in body tissue

Gonads

The reproductive organs that produce gametes via meiosis, such as the testis or ovary