Question

Distinguish between Asexual reproduction and Sexual reproduction.

Answer 1

Reproduction includes the basis of fusion of gametes, how many parents are involved in the process, it also depends on the type of cell which takes part in the process of reproduction and many others.

Step by step answer: The differences between asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction are as follows:
1. Asexual reproduction is a biological process in which the offspring is produced without the fusion of gametes whereas, in sexual reproduction, it’s just opposite. In this process the offspring is produced by fusion of gametes.
2. Genetic information is exchanged between the parents and the offspring in sexual reproduction but not in asexual reproduction.
3. The offspring produced in asexual reproduction is not genetically identical to the parents whereas, genetically identical offspring are produced by sexual reproduction.
4. Both male and female parents are involved in the process of sexual reproduction and only one parent is involved in sexual reproduction.
5. Somatic cells are responsible for reproduction in organisms which produce by asexual reproduction and germ cells or gametes are the reason for sexual reproduction in mammals.
6. In sexual reproduction, fertilization occurs after the fusion of gametes which is followed by the formation of zygote. In asexual reproduction, fertilization does not occur.
7. Only mitotic type of cell division occurs in asexual reproduction but in sexual reproduction both mitotic and meiotic type of cell division takes place.
8. Offspring produced in asexual reproduction are genetically identical to each other. In sexual reproduction, offspring are not genetically identical.
9. Asexual type of reproduction is observed in bacteria, fungi and in also some vertebrates and sexual reproduction is seen in higher animals like mammals, plants and humans.

Note: Reproduction is important for the continuity of life. Sexual reproduction is carried out by animals, birds, fishes, humans, and plants whereas, asexual reproduction is seen in some plant’s bacteria, fungi and algae. Asexual reproduction is of six types (fission, budding, vegetative propagation, fragmentation, spore formation, and agamogenesis). Lizard is an example of fragmentation where if its tail is cut it can produce it again. Asexual reproduction is dependent on the totipotency of the cell that is its ability to produce a whole new organism by the division of the cell. Human beings are an example of sexual reproduction where eggs or ovum are the female gametes and sperm, or spermatozoa are the male gametes.