Asexual Reproduction Advantages and Disadvantages Binary Fission o

Asexual Reproduction Advantages and Disadvantages

Binary Fission o Bacteria reproduce by a process called binary fission o Binary fission: a copy of their single chromosome is produced and then the cell divides in half so that one half gets one chromosome and the other half gets the other chromosome o Because the chromosome was duplicated, each new cell receives a complete set of hereditary information

Asexual Reproduction o Binary fission is an example of asexual reproduction in single celled organisms o Multi-cellular organisms that reproduction asexually is more complex and occurs in the nucleus through mitosis. o Only types of asexual reproduction are: n n Budding Fragmentation Gemmules (Internal Buds) Regeneration

Budding o Offspring grows out of the body of the parent o Hydras exhibit this type of reproduction o Jellyfish also o reproduce through o budding

Sponges o Sponges reproduce asexually through gemmules (internal buds) o A parent releases a specialized mass of cells that can develop into an offspring

Fragmentation o In this form of asexual reproduction, the body of the parent breaks into distinct pieces, each of which can produce an offspring. o Molds, yeast and some mushrooms reproduce in this way.

Regeneration o If a piece of a parent is detached, it can grow and develop into a completely new individual. o Flatworms use this type of asexual reproduction.

Mitosis o In a complex cell going through asexual reproduction, the nucleus divides during a process called mitosis. o Mitosis ensures that each new cell received the same number and kinds of chromosomes that were present in the parent cell. o In both binary fission/mitosis, these processes produce two offspring with hereditary information that is identical to the parent cell.

Mitosis

Advantages and Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction o Advantage: an organism does not have to wait for a partner to be able to produce offspring. o Disadvantage: the offspring are exactly like the parents (no variation in DNA). o Asexual reproduction does not allow organisms to have variation from generation to generation. (could cause an organism to die out if changes occur in ecosystem)