Question

Name the different modes of asexual reproduction in protists.

Answer 1

In protists, asexual reproduction can occur in the following ways:

1. Binary fission: It is the division of the parent body into two equal daughter individuals by mitosis. Examples: Amoeba, Euglena and Paramecium.
2. Multiple fission: It is division of the parent organism into several daughter individuals. Exampes: Amoeba and Plasmodium.
3. Plasmotomy: It is the division of the multinucleate protist into two or more multinucleate offspring by the division of cytoplasm without nuclear division. It occurs in Opalina.
4. Spore formation: In some protists, spores are formed for sexual reproduction. Spores have some sort of covering to withstand unfavourable conditions. On germination, each spore gives rise to a new individual. Examples: Slime moulds.
5. Budding: In budding, a small outgrowth develops from the parent body which separates and develops into a new individual. Examples: Arcella (a sarcodine).