Question

How can asexual reproduction produce variation in a population?

Answer 1

Asexual reproduction is a type of reproduction in which fusion of gametes does not take place. The number of chromosomes remain unchanged. The asexually reproducing organisms can either be unicellular or multicellular organisms that have the same set of genes as that of the parent.

Complete answer:
In asexual reproducing organisms, only single parent is involved. The methods of asexual reproduction take place by budding, fragmentation, binary fission, spore formation, regeneration etc. The asexual reproduction lakes place in lower organisms.

The offspring obtained from asexual reproduction have same number of chromosomes and the genetic material is also inherited as it is as only one parent is involved so the intermixing of the genetic material does not take place. During asexual reproduction, mitosis takes place. So, the cells and the genetic composition remain the same.
However, some variations may occur in case of asexual reproduction. These variations can be due to-

Incomplete copying of the DNA during interphase of mitosis.
Mutation can also take place in the organism which can be due to both internal and external factors. Mutation means the change or alteration of nucleotide sequence in a genome. The mutations which are acquired (in somatic cells) are not passed onto the next generation whereas the mutations which happen in the genetic material are passed on to generations.
Factors like light, temperature or humidity can also cause variations.

Note: In case of sexually reproducing organisms, the genetic recombination takes place in the meiosis. It is called crossing over. In this the genetic material is exchanged between the parents. So, the offspring differ from that of the parent.