Question
Question: State the main difference between asexual and sexual reproduction....
State the main difference between asexual and sexual reproduction.
Explanation
Solution
Reproduction is the process by which an individual produces a new offspring. It is the fundamental feature of all life forms.
Complete Answer:
| Sl.No | Sexual Reproduction | Asexual Reproduction |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | It occurs in some eukaryotic unicellular organisms and all prokaryotes. | It occurs in almost all the multicellular organisms. |
| 2. | Only one parent is involved, i.e. uniparental. | Two parents are involved. |
| 3. | The newly formed generation is a true copy or identical to their parents. | The newly formed generation is similar to their parents. |
| 4. | The original parent disappears after undergoing the process of reproduction. | The original parent remains alive after undergoing the process of reproduction. |
| 5. | The process of gamete formation is absent. | The process of gamete formation is present. |
| 6. | No fertilization takes place. | Fertilization is present resulting in two different zygotes. |
| 7. | No reproductive organs are involved. | Reproductive organs are involved, In females - Ovary, In males - Testes |
| 8. | The cell division is via mitosis. | The cell division is via both mitosis and meiosis. |
| 9. | The progeny is genetically identical to the parent. | The progeny is not genetically identical to the parent. |
| 10. | Both the genes and genetic material is multiplied and then passed on the progeny. | The genes and genetic material gets intermixed and then is passed on the progeny. |
| 11. | Only the characteristics defining one organism are inherited. | The characteristics defining both the organisms are inherited. |
| 12. | Multiplication is very fast and takes very less time. | Multiplication is not so fast and can take upto months. |
| 13. | Evolutionary significance is not seen. | Evolutionary significance is seen. |
| 14. | There are various types, Binary fission, Budding and Spore formation. | There are various types, Conjugation, External fertilization and Syngamy |
| 15. | Examples – Rose, Jasmine, Potato | Examples – Coconut, Hibiscus, and Papaya |
Note: The benefits of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction are,
- The offspring has characteristics of both the parents and not just one.
- It leads to variation, therefore, survival of species in a population increases.
- There are more variations in sexual reproduction.