Reproduction

• Asexual reproduction


  A process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from one parent, with no gametes or sex cells produced and no mixing of genetic information
• Asexual reproduction in bacteria


  • Cell division, otherwise known as binary fission
• Asexual reproduction in fungi


  • Releasing spores, which are dispersed by the wind and develop into new hyphae when they land on a suitable substrate
• Asexual reproduction in plants

  • Vegetative propagation - formation and growth of a new plant from a fragment of another, like the root, shoots and leaves
• Asexual reproduction in plants


  • Stolons - horizontal stems that grow over the ground, with new plants growing from buds on the stolons
• Asexual reproduction in plants


  • Rhizomes - horizontal stems that grow under the ground, with new shoots developing from buds on the rhizomes
• Asexual reproduction in plants


  • Tubers - swollen rhizomes, like those of the potato plant, with new shoots and roots growing from buds on the tuber
• Asexual reproduction in plants


  • Bulbs - with a secondary bud called the lateral bud developing inside the parent bulb during the growing season
• Asexual reproduction in invertebrate animals


  • Hydra - new Hydra growing outwards from the column or central stem, eventually breaking away to become independent organisms
• Advantages of asexual reproduction in plants


  • Quick and energy efficient process, as no mates or gametes are needed
  • Ensures beneficial traits are retained in the next generation
  • Allows species to establish large populations in the wild where mates or pollinators are scarce
  • Allows dense colonies to form with little room for competitors
• Disadvantages of asexual reproduction


  • Lack of genetic diversity, making it difficult to adapt to changing environments
  • Diseases or parasites can spread throughout the entire population
  • Lack of dispersal can result in excessive competition for resources
• Many flowering plants reproduce sexually, which will be covered in topic 16.3