reproduction

• In asexual reproduction, there is no fusion of gametes and only one parent. There is no mixing of genetic information, leading to genetically identical offspring (clones).
• Only mitosis is involved in asexual reproduction.
• Sexual reproduction involves the joining (fusion) of male and female gametes formed by meiosis.
• Meiosis leads to the formation of non-identical cells, sperm and egg cells in animals, and pollen and egg cells in flowering plants.
• In sexual reproduction there is a mixing of genetic information that leads to variation in the offspring.
• Sexual reproduction produces variation that helps survival through natural selection if the environment changes.
• Natural selection is sped up by humans in selective breeding.
• Asexual reproduction needs only one parent, is time and energy efficient, often faster than sexual reproduction, and many identical offspring are produced when conditions are favourable.
• Some organisms depend on both asexual and sexual reproduction depending on the circumstances.
• Malaria parasites reproduce sexually in mosquitoes and asexually in their human host.
• Many fungi reproduce asexually by spores but can also reproduce sexually to give variation.
• Many plants produce seeds sexually but also reproduce asexually, for example by runners or bulb division.