Asexual Reproduction

• Asexual reproduction: the process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from one parent.
• Bacteria:

  • Reproduce by binary fission, each bacterium divides into two.
  • The generation time is the time taken for a cell to divide.
• Fungi:

  • Single-celled yeast reproduces by binary fission.
  • All other fungi produce via spores.
  • When the sporangium bursts it spreads the spores.
  • Spores land and grow mycelium (roots) for example mushrooms
• Potatoes:

  • The shoot from a potato goes back underground and the stem swells to form a new genetically identical potato.
  • The swollen stem acts as a storage organ.
• Advantages of asexual reproduction:

  • Fast: no need to find mate, fertilise etc.
  • Good characteristics are kept
• Disadvantages of asexual reproduction:

  • No variation
  • Harmful genes transferred
  • Overcrowding- fighting for food