Asexual Reproduction

• Asexual reproduction - a process resulting in genetically identical offspring from one parent
• • Asexual reproduction doesn’t involve sex cells or fertilisation
• Only one parent required - no fusion of gametes or genetic information

  • offspring are genetically identical to the parent and to eachother aka clones
• Examples of asexual reproduction:

  • plants - can engage in sexual reproduction as well
  • fungi
  • bacteria
  • some animals e.g. starfish
• Bacteria engages in binary fission (a type of asexual reproduction) - creates genetic copies of themselves by splitting into two
• Bacteria Asexual Reproduction

  A) circular chromosome

  B) parent bacterial cell

  C) double

  D) genetic material replicated

  E) cell division aka binary fission

  F) two genetically identical cells

  
• Plants can reproduce asexually using bulbs or tubers

  • bulb - a short stem with leaves/ remains of leaves which acts as a food storage organ, allowing it to bud and form a plant
  • tuber - formed from swollen, fleshy underground stems which acts as a food storage organ where buds can form form them
  • produces new plants genetically identical to the parent
• Asexual reproduction using bulbs or tubers

  A) short stem

  B) leaves

  C) food storage organ

  D) develop into a plant

  E) flower bud

  F) lateral bud

  G) remains of leaves

  H) from lateral bud

  I) swollen, fleshy

  J) stems

  K) bud

  
• Lateral bud - buds that grow on the side of the stem, that grow long shoots away from the main plant
• Plants can reproduce asexually by growing side shoots called runners

  • contains tiny plantlets on them - can grow roots and develop into separate plants
  • offspring is genetically identical to the parent
• Side shoots in asexual reproduction

  A) runner

  B) parent plant

  C) genetically identical plantlet

  D) roots

  
• Advantages & disadvantages of asexual reproduction:

  • Genetically identical (disadvantage) - bad qualities can be passed on

  A) rapidly

  B) conditions are right

  C) exploit suitable environments

  D) time and energy

  E) faster

  F) limited genetic variation

  G) genetically identical

  H) vulnerable to changes

  I) one habitat

  J) disease

  
• Advantages & disadvantages for species in the wild:

  • advantage:
  • spreads faster, allowing them to colonise an area faster
  • disadvantage:
  • susceptible to diseases due to their lack of variation, allowing them to die out quicker
  • they can’t adapt as easily to the new environment
• Advantages & disadvantages for farming:

  • advantages:
  • good traits are passed on as they are genetically identical, better taste and yield etc.
  • fast reproduction which allows farmers to grow more and get more
  • disadvantages:
  • suscpetible to diseases and pests, can quickly damage all of the crops
  • bad qualities can also be passed on
• Mitosis - the cell divides its replicated DNA and organelles equally between two daughter cell
• How do plants reproduce asexually using a bulb?

  A bulb is a short stem with leaves/remains of leaves which acts as a food storage organ, allowing it to bud and form a plant
• How do plants reproduce asexually using a tuber

  Tubers are formed from swollen, fleshy underground stems which acts as a food storage organ where buds can form from them
• How can plants reproduce asexually using runners?

  Plants can reproduce asexually by growing side shoots called runners which have tiny plantlets on them that can then grow roots and develop into separate plants
• What are the advantages reproduction in plants?

  • population can increase rapidly if the environment is right
  • they can exploit a suitable environment quickly
  • its more time and energy efficient
  • reproduction is much faster than sexual reproduction
• What are the disadvantages of asexual reproduction in plants?

  • limited genetic variation in the population as the offspring is genetically identical to the parents
  • the populations are vulnerable to changes in the environment
  • disease and pests affect the whole population
• What are advantages of asexual reproduction?

  • many offspring produced  OR  population can increase rapidly
  • takes less time/faster
  • more energy efficient
  • only one parent is needed