- Bacteria reproduce asexually through a process known as binary fission. In binary fission, the bacteria's single chromosome is duplicated, and the resulting chromosomes are divided into two daughter cells. Bacteria may reproduce very rapidly in this manner under suitable conditions, doubling in number with each division.
- Plants as a group employ a variety of methods for asexual reproduction. Grasses are known for the rhizomes that extend below the surface of the soil. Shoots sprouting from the rhizome produce a new plant when the rhizome dies or is broken. The "eyes" on potatoes are buds that produce new plants. The above soil runners, or stolons, of strawberries periodically produce new shoots and root systems along their length. Plants such as duckweed produce entirely new plants on the edges of their leaves that drop off to form new plants.
- Although many animals do not have the ability to reproduce asexually, some have retained this ability in addition to sexual reproduction. Sponges can release specialized cells called gemmules that become new organisms. Sea anemones can form new organisms by budding. Most interestingly, some animals including insects, and some reptiles and fish, are able to develop an unfertilized egg into a new individual, a process called parthenogenesis.
previous post
next post