Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction?

Answer 1

Hint: Reproduction is a characteristic feature of all organisms. It is the biological process of self perpetuation or continuation of species in which the grown up individuals give rise to young ones similar to them. The adults who give rise to young ones are called parents. The young ones are called daughters or offspring.

Complete answer:
It is a mode of multiplication in which hew individuals develop from a single parent with or without gamete formation which does not involve fusion of sex cells. Meiosis has no role in asexual reproduction. Divisions are generally mitotic. Individuals formed through this reproduction from a parent are morphologically and genetically similar to one another as well as their parent. Asexual reproduction is common among lowly organized living beings, viz. unicellular organisms, simple plants and simple animals.

1. Advantage of asexual reproduction:
It is uniparental. Thus there is no need to Search for a mate.
It is a rapid mode of reproduction.
It helps in quicker establishment of young ones. The young ones are exact replicas of their parents.
Asexual reproduction is simpler than sexual reproduction.
Consumption of resources is lower.

2. Disadvantages of asexual reproduction:
As there is rapid multiplication, a large number of young ones are formed. It causes overcrowding.
There is no mixing of genetic material. So no new combination takes place.
There is no crossing over. New linkages are not formed.
It has no role in evolution.
Adaptability to changes in the environment is low due to absence of new variations.

Note:
Characteristics of asexual reproduction: It is uniparental. Unit of reproduction or propagule is an unspecialized or specialized part of a parent. The propagule is commonly formed from somatic cells of the parent. Therefore, asexual reproduction is also called somatogenic reproduction. There is no fusion of gametes. Because of it asexual reproduction is also known as agamogamy. Meiosis is generally absent. All divisions are mitotic. Haploid-diploid alternation does not occur.