Question

State the main difference between asexual and sexual reproduction.

Answer 1

Hint: 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.