Question

Why are budding, fragmentation, and regeneration considered asexual types of reproduction? With neat diagrams explain the process of regeneration in Planaria.

Answer 1

Asexual reproduction:

1. Asexual reproduction is the type of reproduction where a single parent is required and no gametes are involved in the production of offspring.
2. Budding, fragmentation, and regeneration are considered asexual types of reproduction because:
   
   • Only one parent is involved and the offspring produced are identical.
   • No gametes are involved in reproduction.
   • Only somatic cells are involved in the process.

Budding:

1. It is a type of asexual reproduction in which a small protrusion called a bud is developed and one of the nuclei shifts into the bud.
2. The bud undergoes mitotic division to increase in size and later on a constriction is formed from where the bud detaches from the parent's body and an entire organism is developed from it.
3. For example, budding in yeast.

Fragmentation:

1. Fragmentation is a type of asexual reproduction in which a whole organism breaks into fragments and each fragment develops into a new individual.
2. This generally occurs in multicellular organisms whose body organizations are simple.
3. For example, Spirogyra.

Regeneration:

1. Regeneration can be defined as a phenomenon in which a matured organism can repair its damaged body part or can restore itself into a new individual from its broken body parts.
2. For example, Planaria can be cut into numerous pieces and each piece has the capacity to form a complete individual.
3. It is possible because of the presence of specialized cells, which can proliferate and grow to form a larger mass of cells that can form various tissues and organs.