aseuxal

• • Production of genetically identical offspring from one parent. Includes binary fission, budding, spore formation, vegetative propagation and parthenogenesis
• • The greatest advantage of asexual reproduction is enabling rapid population expansion without having a mating partner, especially within a stable environment. 
• • However, the disadvantage is the lack of genetic variation in asexual populations, which limits their ability to adapt and survive in new environmental conditions. Mutations in the main mechanism that introduces genetic variation
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  • Efficient form of reproduction, as it allows the build-up of a large population in a short time
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  • The amount of time and energy needed to produce offspring is minimal (don't need  a mating partner)
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  • Offspring are genetically identical to the parent, so they are well suited to a stable environment 
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  • Population sizes can increase rapidly in optimal environments 
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  • Rapid population growth can lead to overcrowding and increase competition for resources
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  • Lacks genetic variation as offspring are genetically identical to parents
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  • Lack of genetic variation→ causes death of the entire population if conditions change as they are not adaptable to new environmental conditions, meaning the chances of survival are low
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  • Variation only occurs due to mutation, however, if a mutation limits survival ability then all offspring will have this harmful characteristic and have a limited lifespan