Asexual and Sexual Reproduction

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Asexual Reproduction Noun

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[ay-sek-shoo-uhl ree-pro-duk-shun]

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Asexual Reproduction

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Reproduction involving a single parent that results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent organism.

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Example: This image shows how a single parent hydra grows a small bud, which develops into a new, genetically identical offspring and then detaches.

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Sexual Reproduction Noun

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[sek-shoo-uhl ree-pro-duk-shun]

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Sexual Reproduction

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Reproduction involving two parents combining their genetic material to produce a new organism which differs from both parents.

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Example: This diagram shows the sexual reproduction life cycle, where a diploid (2n) organism undergoes meiosis to create haploid (n) gametes, which then combine during fertilization.

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Clone Noun

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[klohn]

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Clone

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An organism that is an exact genetic copy of its parent, produced through the process of asexual reproduction.

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Example: This diagram of mitosis shows how one parent cell divides to create two genetically identical daughter cells, which are clones of the original.

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Mitosis Noun

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[my-toh-sis]

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Mitosis

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Cell division for growth and asexual reproduction that results in two identical diploid daughter cells from a single parent cell.

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Example: This diagram shows the complete process of mitosis, where one parent cell divides through several stages to form two identical daughter cells.

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Binary Fission Noun

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[by-nair-ee fish-un]

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Binary Fission

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A form of asexual reproduction where a single-celled organism divides into two individuals of roughly equal size.

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Example: This diagram shows how a single bacterium (a parent cell) copies its DNA and then divides into two identical new cells (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 individual develops from an outgrowth or bud on the parent organism.

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Example: This diagram shows how a Hydra reproduces asexually through budding, where a new organism grows as an outgrowth (bud) from the parent's body.

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Regeneration Noun

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[ree-jen-uh-ray-shun]

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Regeneration

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The natural process of replacing or restoring damaged or missing cells, tissues, organs, or entire body parts.

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Example: This diagram shows a planarian flatworm cut into pieces, where each piece regrows its missing parts to become a new, complete worm, demonstrating asexual reproduction.

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Vegetative Propagation Noun

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

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Vegetative Propagation

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A type of asexual reproduction in plants where a new plant grows from a fragment of the parent plant.

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Example: This diagram shows a parent plant creating a new, identical plant from a runner (stolon), a form of asexual reproduction called vegetative propagation.

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Gamete Noun

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[gam-eet]

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Gamete

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A specialized haploid sex cell, such as a sperm or egg, that fuses with another during fertilization in organisms.

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Example: This diagram shows that gametes, like a sperm and an egg, are haploid (n) reproductive cells that combine during fertilization to form a diploid (2n) egg.

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Fertilization Noun

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[fur-til-eye-zay-shun]

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Fertilization

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The biological process of the fusion of a male gamete with a female gamete to form a diploid zygote.

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Example: This image shows multiple sperm cells, the male gametes, swimming towards a large egg cell, the female gamete, to begin the process of fertilization.