Types of Asexual Reproduction (Pre-IB SC 9)
How does binary fission work?
A single parent cell replicates its genetic material and divides into two equal parts.
How does budding work?
A new, identical organism is developed from a small part of the parent's body through repeated mitosis and cell division. The bud may detatch from the parent and become a new individual or remain attatched as it grows further.
How does fragmentation work?
If an organism breaks apart into fragments due to injury, each fragment develops into a clone of its parent.
How does vegetative reproduction work?
Special cells in plant stems and roots divide repeatedly, forming structures that will develop into a plant identical to the parent.
Pros and Cons of binary fission
Pros
- No need for another organism to reproduce
- Rapid reproductive process
Cons
- No genetic diversity, open to genetic mutations
- Lack of diversity lowers survival rates
Pros and cons of vegetative reproduction
Pros
- Rapid reproduction
- New plants are clones of the parent, helpful to create gene pool with same successful traits
Cons
- If plant is affected with some disease or mutation occurs, whole chain will be affected
- Do not live long
- Plants grow close to each other, battle for nutrients
Pros and cons of budding
Pros
- Rapid reproduction
- Clones of parents ---> useful when parents have desirable traits
Cons
- Competition for nutrients/resources
- energy cost to parent
- Limited colonization --> stays close to parent
Pros and cons of fragmentation
Pros
- rapid reproduction
- colonization of new areas
Cons
- lack of genetic diversity can be disadvantage in changing environments
- relies on physical factors --> if organism does not break/cut, this process cannot take place