Unaltered Descendants

Mr. Aldwin C. Espiritu

Learning Objectives
Define asexual reproduction and its types.
Differentiate the different types of asexual reproduction.
Compare different organisms’ differences from their
parents.
Secret Code
Ex: APPLE A B C J K L
D E F M N O

G H I P Q R

TOKYO S W
T U X Y
V Z
Secret Code
BUDDING A B C J K L
D E F M N O

G H I P Q R
BINARY FISSION
S W
T U X Y
V Z
Secret Code
FRAGMENTATION A B C J K L
D E F M N O

G H I P Q R

POPULATION S W
T U X Y
V Z
Secret Code
REGENERATION A B C J K L
D E F M N O

G H I P Q R

PROPAGATION S W
T U X Y
V Z
Asexual Reproduction
Asexual reproduction does not require two parents.
One organism reproduce without a partner; the offspring
is an exact copy (clone) of the parent.
Advantage: they can reproduce rapidly
Disadvantage: offspring is a clone of the parent;
no exchange of genes  no variation in organisms
If the environment changes and the species cannot
adapt, then the entire species will be extinct.
Asexual Reproduction in Microorganisms
Binary Fission
bi- means “two”, fiss means “split”
an organism splits in half to form two individuals
ex: Amoeba, Paramecium, Euglena
Asexual Reproduction in Microorganisms
Binary Fission
the nucleus divides into two,
followed by the division of
the cytoplasm
the cell separates into two
and the process repeats
The offspring is identical to
the parent.
Asexual Reproduction in Microorganisms
Budding
bud- means “sprout”
a bud grows from a parent and develops
this bud will detach to form a new individual
In some organisms, the bud remains attached to the
parent and forms a colony.
Asexual Reproduction in Microorganisms
Budding
ex: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast); makes dough rise
A bud forms on a single yeast cell.
Some buds remain attached
to the parent cell,
forming colonies.
Others detach to
become new cells.
Asexual Reproduction in Microorganisms
Fragmentation
“fragments” of an organism grow and develop into new
organism. The new organism is a clone of the parent.
ex: cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)
Checkpoint (p. 155)

How would you describe asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction does not require two parents to

reproduce.
Because the offspring is a clone of the parent, there is no
variation among organisms.
Checkpoint (p. 155)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of asexual

reproduction?
This mode of reproduction allows the organism to
reproduce rapidly.
On the other hand, because there is no variation, if the
organisms cannot adapt to environmental changes, the
whole population will die, which will then cause
extinction.
Checkpoint (p. 155)

What types of asexual reproduction do microorganisms

undergo? Briefly describe each.
Binary fission is when an organism splits in half to form
two individuals.
Budding is when a bud grows and develops from the
parent, which may then detach and become a new
individual.
Fragmentation means that the “fragments” of an
organism grow and develop into a new organism.
Reflect Upon (p. 155)

What would happen if humans reproduce through binary

fission?

The result will be overpopulation and increased demand

for various resources such as food and shelter.
Asexual Reproduction in Plants
Spider plant
It has “plantlets” that can
be planted to become
new spider plants.
The plantlets are clones of
the parent plant.
This is how spider plants
reproduce asexually.
Trivia (p. 155)

Can plants grow even without soil?

Yes. Epiphytes like orchids grow without soil.
Epiphytes are plants that grow
on the surface of other plants
and derive moisture and
nutrients from the air,
rain, water or from debris
accumulating around them.
Natural Vegetative Reproduction
This is the development of a new plant from plant parts
like roots, stems, and leaves.
The new plant grows and develops even without human
intervention.
Natural Vegetative Reproduction
Roots
New plants are formed when these roots are planted in
the soil. ex: sweet potato, dahlia
Natural Vegetative Reproduction
Stems
most efficient type of propagation
bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers or runners
specialized stems
Natural Vegetative Reproduction
Specialized Stems
Bulbs
ex: Onions, lilies, tulips
Natural Vegetative Reproduction
Specialized Stems
Corms
ex: Crocuses, Gladiolus
Natural Vegetative Reproduction
Specialized Stems
Rhizomes
ex: Ginger, Bamboo
Natural Vegetative Reproduction
Specialized Stems
Tubers
ex: Potatoes
Natural Vegetative Reproduction
Specialized Stems
Runners
ex: Strawberries, Bermuda grass
Natural Vegetative Reproduction
Leaves
ex: Kalanchoe pinnata
(Katakataka)
Artificial Vegetative Reproduction
requires human intervention
In agriculture, this is usually done to increase crop quality
and to propagate plants easily.
Artificial Vegetative Reproduction
Stem Cutting
most common method
It involves cutting a portion of the
plant stem and planting it in soil;
eventually roots will emerge.
ex: roses, bougainvilleas, potatoes
Artificial Vegetative Reproduction
Root Cutting
a cut section of the root is buried in the soil and produces
new shoot; eventually forming new plants
not as predictable as other methods
ex: tamarind, lemon
Artificial Vegetative Reproduction
Leaf Cutting
leaves are cut and grown in soil
to form new plants
Adventitious roots need to grow at
the base of the petiole before
it will be grown in moist soil.
ex: Begonia, Peperomia
Artificial Vegetative Reproduction
Layering
the branch of the parent plant is bent and covered with
soil, with the tip of the branch still exposed
a new plant forms which will be detached later
ex: climbing rose, honeysuckle, lilac
Artificial Vegetative Reproduction
Grafting
involves the combination of plants
and letting them grow together
scion (upper part),
stock (lower part)
to combine good stem scion with
a good root stock in one plant
ex: watermelon, eggplant, tomato
Checkpoint (p. 159)

What is the importance of asexual reproduction in plant

to agriculture?

It helps them grow plants faster. Artificial propagation

also helps improve crop quality and production.
Checkpoint (p. 159)

How is natural vegetative reproduction different from

artificial vegetative reproduction?

Natural vegetative reproduction happens naturally.

On the other hand, artificial vegetative reproduction
requires human intervention.
Reflect Upon (p. 159)

Why do humans intervene with asexual reproduction of

plants?

This is to produce more plants with desired

characteristics.
Asexual Reproduction in Lower Forms of Animals
Animals like dogs, cats, or birds need two parents to
produce an offspring.
But some lower forms of animals undergo asexual
reproduction;
requiring only one parent and producing an offspring
that is a clone of the parent.
Asexual Reproduction in Lower Forms of Animals
Budding
similar to budding in microorganisms
a bud forms on the parent animal,
which will eventually detach
to form a new animal
ex: hydra, corals
Asexual Reproduction in Lower Forms of Animals
Note:
To avoid confusion between budding and binary fission:

In binary fission, the parent cannot be distinguished

anymore because it has divided into two new
organisms.
In budding, the identity of the parent still remains after
the detachment of the new organism.
Asexual Reproduction in Lower Forms of Animals
Fragmentation
corals also reproduce asexually through fragmentation
a portion of the coral is broken off then grows and
develops
greater success
when fragments
land on living
colonies than on
sand
Asexual Reproduction in Lower Forms of Animals
Fragmentation
Planaria also reproduce asexually
through fragmentation
even if it is cut anywhere on its
body, each broken piece will
regenerate to form a new
planaria
Checkpoint (p. 161)

Explain the difference between “binary fission” and

“budding”.

In binary fission, the parent cannot be distinguished

anymore because it has divided into two new
organisms.
In budding, the identity of the parent still remains after
the detachment of the new organism.
Checkpoint (p. 161)

Why does asexual reproduction only occur in lower forms

of animals?

It is because higher forms are more complex. So, sexual

reproduction fits them better than the asexual
reproduction.
Reflect Upon (p. 161)

What would happen if higher forms of animals undergo

asexual reproduction?

The population rate will increase significantly, but this

means that resources will be depleted, so competition
or even death among the population will occur faster.
References
Cuevas, C.C., Eval, A.A., Ramos, S.K.A., & Maaghop, M.C.C. (2021).
Science for Innovative Minds 7. Diwa Learning Systems Inc.