Asexual and Sexual Reproduction

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Asexual Reproduction Noun

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[ey-sek-shoo-uhl ree-pruh-duhk-shuhn]

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Asexual Reproduction

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A mode of reproduction involving a single parent, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to that parent.

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Example: This diagram shows how a planarian flatworm, when cut into pieces, can regrow its missing parts, resulting in multiple new, identical organisms.

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Sexual Reproduction Noun

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[sek-shoo-uhl ree-pruh-duhk-shuhn]

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Sexual Reproduction

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A mode of reproduction involving two parents and the fusion of specialized reproductive cells called gametes to form offspring.

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Example: This diagram shows the cycle of sexual reproduction. A diploid (2n) cell undergoes meiosis to produce haploid (n) sex cells, which combine during fertilization.

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Mitosis Noun

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[mahy-toh-sis]

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Mitosis

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The process of cell division where one cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells for growth or repair.

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Example: This diagram shows how one parent cell (mother cell) replicates its DNA and then divides to create two identical new cells (daughter cells).

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Binary Fission Noun

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[bahy-nuh-ree fish-uhn]

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Binary Fission

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A method of asexual reproduction where a parent cell duplicates its genetic material and divides into two identical daughter cells.

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Example: This diagram shows how a single parent cell, like a bacterium, first copies its DNA and then divides in half to create two identical daughter cells.

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Budding Noun

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[buhd-ing]

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Budding

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A type of asexual reproduction where a new organism develops from an outgrowth or bud on the parent's body.

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Example: This diagram shows how a new Hydra grows as an outgrowth, or bud, on the parent organism and then detaches to become an independent individual.

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Fragmentation Noun

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[frag-men-tey-shuhn]

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Fragmentation

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A form of asexual reproduction where an organism splits into fragments, each capable of growing into a new, complete individual.

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Example: A parent organism, like the alga Spirogyra, breaks into smaller pieces called fragments, and each fragment grows into a new, identical daughter cell.

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Regeneration Noun

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[ri-jen-uh-rey-shuhn]

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Regeneration

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The biological process of renewal and restoration that allows an organism to regrow lost or damaged body parts.

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Example: This image shows a lizard regrowing its lost tail over 22 weeks, illustrating the process of regeneration where an organism replaces a lost body part.

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Vegetative Propagation Noun

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[vej-i-tey-tiv prop-uh-gey-shuhn]

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Vegetative Propagation

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A type of asexual reproduction in plants where new individuals arise from vegetative parts of the parent plant, not seeds.

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Example: This diagram shows how a new plant can grow from a special stem called a runner (or stolon) that extends from the parent plant.

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Gamete Noun

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[gam-eet]

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Gamete

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A specialized male or female reproductive cell that contains half the number of chromosomes of a somatic cell.

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Example: This diagram shows a sperm and an egg, which are gametes. They are haploid (n) and combine during fertilization to create a diploid (2n) cell.

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Fertilization Noun

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[fur-tl-ih-zey-shuhn]

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Fertilization

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The process in sexual reproduction involving the fusion of male and female gametes to form a diploid zygote.

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Example: This diagram shows a sperm cell and an egg cell combining in a process called fertilization to create a new cell called a zygote.