Lesson 3 — Activity 1: Asexual Reproduction
Completion requirements
Lesson 3 — Activity 1:
Asexual Reproduction
Explore
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines reproduction as "the process by which plants and animals give rise to offspring and which fundamentally consists of the segregation of a portion of the parental body by a sexual or an asexual process and its subsequent growth and differentiation into a new individual."
This may sound complicated, but it's really not. In this first activity, you will learn about asexual reproduction.
All species of animals and plants on the planet reproduces in one of two ways: asexually or sexually. The goal of anything reproducing is the survival of the species and not survival of the individual.
This activity focuses on asexual reproduction, which involves only one parent. That means that all offspring are exactly identical to the parent.
1. Binary fission occurs in single-celled organisms. A cell splits exactly in two, producing two identical individuals. Bacteria and algae reproduce this way.
@commons.wikimedia.org
2. Budding means that the parent produces a small bud that is a smaller version of itself. After a while, the bud detaches from the parent and grows to be exactly like the parent. Yeast reproduces this way.
3. Spore production involves the parent making "seeds" or tiny copies of itself that can spread and become copies of the parent cell. Mold, fungi (mushrooms), and ferns reproduce this way.
4. Regeneration (or fragmentation) is the regrowth of lost or destroyed parts. For example, a starfish that loses a ray can grow a whole new one in time. Most starfish species can regenerate only if the central part of the body is intact, but a few species can grow back even from a single ray.
5. The fifth type of asexual reproduction is vegetative reproduction. The reproduction of some plants does not require a seed. You might take a small branch from a geranium and put it into soil to produce a new plant just like its "mother." Have you ever watched anyone graft two plants together? This is a form of vegetative reproduction.
Digging Deeper
Matching
Match the asexual reproduction terms on the left with the descriptions on the right. When you think you know the answers, click on the box to the right to see if you are correct!
Term
Definition binary fission
the regrowth of lost or destroyed parts
budding
reproduction that does not require a seed
spore production
the parent produces a small bud that is a smaller version of itself
regeneration
involves the parent making "seeds" or tiny copies of itself
vegetative reproduction
a cell splits exactly in two, producing two identical individuals
binary fission: a cell splits exactly in two, producing two identical individuals
budding: the parent produces a small bud that is a smaller version of itself
spore production: involves the parent making "seeds" or tiny copies of itself
regeneration: the regrowth of lost or destroyed parts
vegetative reproduction: reproduction that does not require a seed
Digging Deeper
Matching
Match the asexual reproduction terms on the left with the descriptions on the right. When you think you know the answers, click on the box to the right to see if you are correct!
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| binary fission | the regrowth of lost or destroyed parts |
| budding | reproduction that does not require a seed
|
| spore production
|
the parent produces a small bud that is a smaller version of itself |
| regeneration |
involves the parent making "seeds" or tiny copies of itself |
| vegetative reproduction
|
a cell splits exactly in two, producing two identical individuals |
binary fission: a cell splits exactly in two, producing two identical individuals
budding: the parent produces a small bud that is a smaller version of itself
spore production: involves the parent making "seeds" or tiny copies of itself
regeneration: the regrowth of lost or destroyed parts
vegetative reproduction: reproduction that does not require a seed
budding: the parent produces a small bud that is a smaller version of itself
spore production: involves the parent making "seeds" or tiny copies of itself
regeneration: the regrowth of lost or destroyed parts
vegetative reproduction: reproduction that does not require a seed