Asexual & Sexual Reproduction - what are they?
Asexual reproduction is when a single organism uses its own DNA to create an identical offspring. However, Sexual reproduction is when two organisms, a female and a male, combine their hereditry information (DNA) to produce a genetically unique organism.
Similarities between Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Both are a kind of reproduction
Offspring is produced from both of these processes
Offspring is produced from both of these processes
Differences between Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Asexual ReproductionSomatic cells are involved
Only one parent involved Exact replica of the parent Fusion of gametes and cells not involved |
Sexual ReproductionGametes (egg and sperm) are involved
Two parents involved Getically unique with DNA from both mum and dad Fusion of gametes and cells are involved |
Example of Asexual Reproduction
Starfish is one of the many animals which undergo asexual reproduction. They simply just break off a limb and form a new animal.
Figure 1: Image sourced from: http://johnfriedmann.com/biogloss/Fragmentation.html
Example of Sexual Reproduction
Sexual Reproduction is undergone by humans where the male produces sperm to fertilise the egg which is in the female.
Imaged sourced from: http://www.gambassa.com/public/project/3245/JessicaAndTrevor'sGeologicalTimeline.html