Question

Distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction. Why vegetative reproduction is also considered as a type of asexual reproduction?

Answer 1

Hint: Sexual reproduction is a process that makes a new organism by combining the genetic material of two organisms. Asexual reproduction is a kind of reproduction which doesn't involve the fusion of gametes or change within the number of chromosomes. Vegetative reproduction is any type of asexual reproduction.

Complete answer: The Differences between sexual and asexual reproduction are:

Sexual reproduction	Asexual reproduction
It requires the fusion of the male and female gamete.	It does not requires the fusion of the male and the female gamete
It involves two (usually) different individuals.	It involves only one individual.
It involves germ cells of the body	It involves somatic cells of the body
Offsprings produced in sexual reproduction are different from their parents. Hence, show variation.	Offsprings produced in asexual reproduction are exactly similar to their parent. Hence, called clones.
They are evolutionary advantageous	They are not evolutionary advantageous
Meiosis and mitosis division both take place.	Only mitosis division takes place.
It is a slow process.	It is a fast process.
Found in higher plants and animals.	Found in only lower invertebrates and lower chordates.

Vegetative propagation is a process during which new plants are obtained without the assembly of seeds or spores. It involves the propagation of plants through certain vegetative parts like the rhizome, sucker, tuber, bulb, etc. It doesn't involve the fusion of the male and the female gamete and requires just one parent. Hence, vegetative reproduction is taken into account as a kind of asexual reproduction.

Note: Vegetative reproduction, mainly which the produced offspring are clones of their parent plants. All prokaryotes reproduce through asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction may have short term benefits when rapid increase is vital or in stable environments, while sexual reproduction offers a net advantage by allowing more rapid generation of genetic diversity. Sexual reproduction requires much more energy than asexual reproduction.