Asexual Reproduction Asexual Reproduction Mitosis is the basis

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction Mitosis is the basis of asexual reproduction n Involves only one parent individual n Results in genetically identical offspring: Clones n

Advantages Safe n Don’t need to find a mate n Can give loads of offspring quickly n

Disadvantage n All offspring genetically identical If environment changes in some way then… … could cause complete destruction of a population

Strategies for Asexual Reproduction Binary Fission n Sporulation n Regeneration n Budding n Vegetative Propagation n n Most important on WJEC

Binary Fission n Mitosis followed by splitting of the individual Only in the most simple of organisms Bacteria and Protoctists

Sporulation n n Mitosis followed by the production of asexual spores Spores can survive adverse conditions Good for dispersal Fungi and lower plants (mosses / ferns)

Regeneration

Regeneration n Rather Dramatic! Lizards shed tails Starfish can grow from only one arm!

Budding Yeast n n n Hydra Outgrowth from parents Produces miniature of parent This bud then drops off the parent and is independent.

Vegetative Propagation n n Sophisticated version of budding that occurs in plants. May involve perennating organs: bulbs, corms etc where stored food means can be dormant over winter

Parthenogenesis n n Virgin birth! 70 species of vertebrates New Scientist Short Sharp Science Blog