Question

What is sexual and asexual reproduction. Explain with an example.

Answer 1

Hint: The biological process by which new individual organisms – "offspring" – are created from their "parent" or parents is known as reproduction (or procreation or breeding). Each human organism exists as a result of reproduction, which is a fundamental feature of all known life.

Complete answer:
The process of creating new species by integrating the genetic material of two individuals of different sexes is known as sexual reproduction. The genetic material is stored on chromosomes inside the nucleus of gametes, which are specialised sex cells. Fertilization and sex cells are involved in sexual reproduction. As a result, two parents are involved in the generation of the offspring. Example: Mammals

Asexual reproduction is a form of reproduction that does not require gamete fusion or chromosome number changes. A sexually reproduced offspring from either unicellular or multicellular species inherit the entire set of genes of their single parent. There are no sex cells or fertilization in asexual reproduction. As a result, a single parent is involved in the generation of the offspring.
Some of the asexual reproduction methods are: binary fission (e.g., Amoeba, bacteria), budding (e.g. Hydra), fragmentation (e.g. Planaria), spore formation (e.g. ferns) and vegetative propagation (e.g. Onion).

Note: Since sexual reproduction requires meiosis and the fusion of male and female gametes, it is a better mode of reproduction than asexual reproduction. When two parents’ fuse, the result is offspring that are not similar to their parents. It also induces variation, which is essential for species adaptation and survival in the face of a variety of environmental changes.