sexual and asexual reproduction

• What is sexual reproduction?

  When genetic information from two organisms combine to produce genetically different offspring.
• What is asexual reproduction?

  When there is only one parent so offspring are genetically identical to that parent (a clone)
• animal gametes


  sperm and eggs
• plant gametes


  pollen and eggs
• When bacteria reproduce asexually, which process do they use?

  binary fission
• When fungi and plants reproduce asexually, which process do they use?

  mitosis
• Pros of asexual reproduction

  quick due to one parent

  cheap
• cons of asexual reproduction

  no variation which can cause extinction

  less chance to adapt
• pros of sexual reproduction

  large amount of variation

  Population is less likely to wiped out by a disease or extreme event

  Species can adapt to changing conditions by evolution
• Cons of sexual reproduction

  It requires two parents

  Individuals may have have to spend large amounts of time and energy searching for a mate

  Many species spend resources impressing their mates even though it doesn't aid survival