Asexual reproduction occurs without using gametes and there is only one parent. Each new individual will be genetically identical to the parent. The offspring from asexual reproduction are called clones. Clones are genetically identical to the parent organism. All offspring will also be genetically identical to each other. Yeast and bacteria reproduce asexually.
Clones
Reproduction in unicellular organisms Fig. 2 shows a unicellular bacterium undergoing cell division. When the division is completed two new individuals will have been formed. The new individual cells will then grow to full size. The two new cells came from a single parent cell without using gametes so this is a type of asexual reproduction. For most unicellular organisms asexual reproduction is the only way that they can produce offspring.
Reproduction in multicellular organisms Multicellular organisms include animals and plants. Most animals only reproduce sexually. However, many plants use both sexual and asexual reproduction.
Offspring which are genetically identical to the parent organism.
Unicellular A unicellular organism has only one cell.
Fig. 2 Bacteria reproduce asexually.
Asexual reproduction in plants Strawberry plants are able to reproduce asexually. A single parent plant can produce many small plantlets. The plantlets form on stem-like structures called runners. The plantlets may eventually become separated from the parent plant. The plantlets can grow into full-sized strawberry plants. Each new plant produced in this way will be a clone.
Fig. 3 Strawberry plants grow runners to produce new plants.
Research this Runners are just one way in which plants can reproduce asexually. Find three other ways that plants can reproduce asexually. For each method of reproduction name a plant that reproduces in that way and draw diagrams to illustrate the process.
