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Asexual vs Sexual Reproduction

Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction Simulation

There are two main types of reproduction:

Asexual and Sexual Reproduction

1. Asexual Reproduction

Definition: One parent creates an exact copy of itself. No partner is needed.

Examples: Bacteria splitting in half, plants growing new shoots (like potatoes or strawberries).

1a. Binary Fission! Asexual Reproduction of Bacteria

Bacteria primarily reproduce asexually through a process called binary fission, where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells. Paramecia, amoebas, and euglena can also reproduce using binary fission.

In the right conditions, bacteria can double their number in just 20 minutes! This is called the "generation time" or "doubling time." How fast they grow depends on the type of bacteria and the environment they’re in. For example, E. coli bacteria can grow really fast, but other types might take more time.

1b. Budding! Asexual Reproduction of Hydras

In budding, a small growth forms on the parent’s body. Mitosis is used to make new cells.

This bump grows into a new individual and eventually breaks off when it’s ready. Hydras typically reproduce this way. However, they can reproduce sexually under certain circumstances.

1c. Fragmentation and Regeneration!

Asexual Reproduction of Sea Stars and Planarians

Sea stars can reproduce asexually. Each "new" sea star is a clone.

Planarians (a kind of flatworm) can split into pieces, and each piece grows into a new worm.

This is called fragmentation and regeneration.

The worm breaks apart on purpose to reproduce.

Mitosis is used to make new cells.

1d. Vegetative Propagation! Asexual Reproduction of Strawberries

Strawberries can reproduce using two methods.

The first way strawberries reproduce is called sexual reproduction.

This happens when the plant grows flowers. These flowers attract pollinators like bees to help move pollen.

Pollen is made by the male part of the flower, called the stamen.

The female part of the flower is called the pistil, and it holds the ovary, which becomes the fruit (like a strawberry).

Strawberries have both male and female parts, so they can self-pollinate with help from wind or rain.

In greenhouses, people often use bumblebees to help with pollination so they know it will work. When sexual reproduction happens, the plant makes seeds with a mix of genes from both parents.

Strawberries can reproduce sexually when bees transmit pollen and fertilize a flower.

Asexual Reproduction in Strawberries
The second way strawberries reproduce is called asexual reproduction. This method doesn’t need flowers, seeds, or pollinators. Instead, the plant makes copies of itself called runners.

A runner is a long stem that grows out from the main plant. When it touches the soil, it grows roots and becomes a new plant. These new plants are clones, meaning they have the exact same genes as the original (mother) plant.

Mitosis is used to make new cells.

In addition to sexual reproduction, strawberries can also reproduce asexually with runners. Each "baby" is a clone.

Strawberry farms often use runners because it’s faster and easier, and all the strawberries will taste the same. A common method is to cut the runners and put them under mist until they grow roots.

King's Holly

Lomatia tasmanica, also called King’s lomatia or King’s Holly, is a very unusual plant. Even though it has flowers, it doesn’t make fruit or seeds. Instead, it grows new plants by dropping a branch. That branch can take root in the ground and grow into another plant.

All the King’s Holly plants—only about 300 of them—live close together in a small area just over one kilometer long. Since they all come from the same original plant and grow the same way, they are exact genetic copies of each other, like clones.

Scientists think this plant has been cloning itself for at least 43,600 years, and maybe even as long as 135,000 years, making it one of the oldest living plant clones on Earth!

Pando

Pando is a huge group of quaking aspen trees that are all connected by one big root system, like a giant plant family!

It's found in Fishlake National Forest in Utah and is thought to be the biggest and heaviest living thing on Earth.

Pando covers more than 100 acres of land and weighs about 13 million pounds. Scientists believe it all started from one tiny seed around 2.6 million years ago!

Pando is one giant organism. Each tree is a clone of every other tree.

1e. Parthenogenesis! Asexual Reproduction from Unfertilized Eggs

Parthenogenesis is a type of asexual reproduction where an offspring develops from an unfertilized egg. This means the organism doesn’t need a male to reproduce. It's seen in some animals, mostly invertebrates and a few vertebrates. Mitosis is used to make new cells.

Here are some examples of organisms that can undergo parthenogenesis:

Invertebrates:

Insects: Bees (male drones come from unfertilized eggs), Ants and wasps, Aphids, as well as some spiders and scorpions

Vertebrates:

Reptiles: Some lizards (like the whiptail lizard), Some snakes (like the boa constrictor and Komodo dragon)

Amphibians: Rare cases in frogs and salamanders
Fish: Some species of sharks (e.g., bonnethead shark, zebra shark)

Parthenogenesis- females can reproduce without a male.

Birds: Very rare, but reported occasionally in domesticated turkeys and chickens (not common or usually viable)

Fun Fact: In species where parthenogenesis happens naturally, it often results in females only, since there's no sperm to contribute male genes.

✅ Advantages of Asexual Reproduction:

Fast and easy.
Doesn’t need a mate.
Can make lots of offspring quickly.

❌ Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction:

All offspring are clones (genetically the same).
If the environment changes or there's a disease, they could all die because they’re not different enough to survive it. Genetic diversity is useful under times of stress.

2. Sexual Reproduction

Definition: Two parents combine their genetic material to create a unique offspring.
Examples: Humans, dogs, birds, and plants etc. Most eukaryotes—which are living things with complex cells, like animals, plants, fungi, and protists—reproduce through a process called sexual reproduction. This means two parents each give a special cell (called a gamete), and when those cells combine, they create offspring with a mix of genes from both parents.

Sexual reproduction creates new life that has genetic variation. Genetic variation ensures that some creatures will have certain traits that will help them to survive - especially if the environment changes.

✅ Advantages of sexual reproduction:

Offspring are different from parents and each other.
More likely to survive changes or diseases because of genetic variety.

❌ Disadvantages of sexual reproduction:

Takes more time and energy.
Needs two parents to happen.
Sexual reproduction is a genetic gamble. The best genes may not be inherited.

In short:

Asexual = quick clones
Sexual = slower but unique

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