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Reproduction_ (1)

Uploaded by

vedanshisingh674
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reproduction Definition

“Reproduction is the process of producing offspring that are biologically


or genetically similar to the parent organism.”

What is Reproduction?
Reproduction is a biological process by which an organism reproduces an
offspring that is biologically similar to the organism. Reproduction enables
and ensures the continuity of species, generation after generation. It is the
main feature of life on earth.

Let us have a detailed overview of reproduction, its types and the modes of
reproduction in plants and animals.

Types of Reproduction
There are basically two types of reproduction:

1. Asexual Reproduction
2. Sexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction

What is Asexual Reproduction?


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, i.e., they are the clones of their
parents.

Asexual reproduction is observed in both multicellular and unicellular


organisms. This process does not involve any kind of gamete fusion and
there won’t be any change in the number of chromosomes either. It will
inherit the same genes as the parent, except for some cases where there is
a chance of a rare mutation occurring.

Characteristics of Asexual Reproduction


Following are the important features of asexual reproduction:

1. Single parent involved.


2. No fertilization or gamete formation takes place.
3. This process of reproduction occurs in a very short time.
4. The organisms multiply and grow rapidly.
5. The offspring is genetically similar.

Types of Asexual Reproduction


There are different types of asexual reproduction:

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

Binary Fission
The term “fission” means “to divide”. During binary fission the parent cell
divides into two cells. The cell division patterns vary in different organisms,
i.e., some are directional while others are non-directional. 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 carrying
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.

Fragmentation
Fragmentation is another mode of asexual reproduction exhibited by
organisms such as spirogyra, planaria etc. The parent body divides into
several fragments and each fragment develops into a new organism.
Regeneration
Regeneration is the power of growing a new organism from the lost body
part. For eg., when a lizard loses its tail, a new tail grows. This is because the
specialized cells present in the organism can differentiate and grow into a
new individual. Organisms like hydra and planaria exhibit regeneration.
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.

Spore Formation
Spore formation is another means of asexual reproduction. During
unfavourable conditions, the organism develops sac-like structures called
sporangium that contain spores. When the conditions are favourable, the
sporangium burst opens and spores are released that germinate to give
rise to new organisms.
In asexual reproduction, a single cell is divided to produce offspring. Simple
cell-by-cell division is not possible in multicellular organisms. Most of the
multicellular organisms have a complex body design. They have a higher
level of organization like tissues, organs and organ systems. Thus, they
need a special mode for reproduction.

Vegetative Propagation
Asexual reproduction in plants occurs through their vegetative parts such
as leaves, roots, stems, and buds. This is called vegetative propagation. For
example, potato tubers, runners/stolon, onion bulbs, etc., all reproduce
through vegetative propagation.

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