Define asexual reproduction. Describe two methods of asexual reproduction in animals.

The continuity of generation in the society is a common process. Each and everyone wants to see their next generation. This process is termed as reproduction. The process in which organisms give birth to new organisms of the same kind is called reproduction. There are mainly two types of reproduction. Sexual and asexual are the two types of reproduction. In this article will read about asexual reproduction.

Asexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction is the mode of reproduction that is involved in the production of offsprings by a single parent. Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction in which a new offspring is produced by a single parent. The new individuals produced are genetically and physically identical to each other.

Features

Following are the important features of asexual reproduction:

• Single parent involved.
• No fertilization or gamete formation takes place.
• This process of reproduction occurs in a very short time.
• The organisms multiply and grow rapidly.
• The offspring is genetically similar.

Types

Listed below are the types of asexual reproduction

There are different types of asexual reproduction:

• Binary Fission
• Budding
• Fragmentation
• Vegetative Propagation
• Sporogenesis

Here will learn about two types of asexual reproduction

Binary fission

The term “fission” indicates “to divide”. Through binary fission, the parent cell divides into two cells. The cell division patterns vary in various organisms, i.e., some are directional while others are non-directional.

Example: Amoeba and euglena exhibit binary fission.

It is one of the simplest and uncomplicated methods of asexual reproduction. The parent cell divides into two, each daughter cell containing a nucleus of its own that is genetically identical to the parent. The cytoplasm also divides leading to two equal-sized daughter cells. The process repeats itself and the daughter cells grow and further divide.

The picture given below shows the process of Binary fission

Budding

Budding is the process of producing an individual through the buds that develop on the parent body. Hydra is an organism that reproduces by budding. The bud derives nutrition and shelter from the parent organism and detaches once it is fully grown.

Example: Hydra and Yeast

Budding in Hydra

Hydra reproduces by the method of budding. A small outgrowth called bud is formed on one side of its body by repetitive mitotic division. This bud gradually grows into a full hydra, developing its mouth and tentacles. The new Hydra detaches itself from its parent and start living as a separate organism. The picture given below shows budding in Hydra.

Similarly bu single parent the various other asexual reproduction like fragmentation, vegetative prpogation and Sporogenesis takes place.