Asexual

Reproduction

J. J. Marshall-Thompson
R. Scott
CAPE Biology Unit 1
6th March, 2019
Objectives
Explain the term asexual reproduction
Discuss binary fission, budding, asexual spore formation,
fragmentation
Asexual reproduction
Reproduction that
occurs without the
formation of gametes.
It results in offspring
that are genetically
identical to their
single parent.
Mechanisms of asexual
reproduction
• Binary fission
• Budding
• Asexual spore formation
• Fragmentation
• Parthenogenesis
• Vegetative Propagation
Binary fission
An individual cell
replicates its DNA
and divides into two
cells.

Used by prokaryotes
e.g. Escherichia coli

Also by unicellular
eukaryotes
E.g. Paramecium
Binary fission
To remain viable the bacterium must divide at the right time,
in the right place and must provide each offspring with a
complete copy of essential genetic material

 Bacterium increases in size (roughly doubles). Cellular

constituents e.g. proteins and circular DNA increase.
 A partition called a septum forms
 The septum forms due to inward growth of the cytoplasm
and cell wall
 The cell separates producing two identical daughter
bacteria.
This leads to the separation of the bacterium into two
bacteria
Prior to binary fission the bacterium doubles its DNA as well
as other cell components
Binary fission
Budding
Occurs in yeast
Yeasts are unicellular
fungi.
(e.g. Saccharomyces
ceravisiae)
A small outgrowth starts
on the parent cell
When it is almost the
same size as the parent
cell, nuclear division
occurs and the cells
separate
Budding
In yeast, the chromosomes replicate
Mitosis starts but the nuclear membrane does not break
down
A side of the yeast swells
A daughter nucleus enters the bud
When the bud breaks off, a bud scar is left on the parent
yeast cell.
Budding
Budding
Bakers yeast experiment
Asexual spore formation
As seen in fungi
Asexual spore formation
Types of fungi based on structural units:
 Yeasts – unicellular. Can reproduce asexually mainly by
budding.

 Moulds – have long, white branched filaments called

hyphae. Mass of hyphae is known as mycelium.
 Moulds reproduce by spore formation. This may be sexual or
asexual.
Asexual spore formation
Some types of asexual spores:

 Arthrospores or arthroconidia

 Chlamydospores

 Sporangiospores within sacs called sporangia (sing.

Sporangium)

Conidiospores or conidia

 Blastospores
Asexual spore formation
Mitosis gives rise to reproductive cells called mitospores that
develop into a new organism after dispersal.

One of the cells at the end of hyphae enlarges and forms the
sporangium.
The nucleus divides many times and then the daughter nuclei
are surrounded with protoplasm bits to form daughter cells
called spores.
Asexual spore formation
The spores are covered with a thick wall called the cyst.
On maturation, the sporangium bursts and releases the spores.
The spores germinate under favourable conditions.
This is atypical sporogenesis; most spores arise through
meiosis.
Structure of Rhizopus nigricans,
the common bread mould
Fungal Lifecycle
Fragmentation
•A piece or pieces of an organism breaks off
•A new organism, identical to the parent grows from the pieces
•Not very common in animals.
•E.g. Sponges and Echinoderms such as starfish, some worms
• More e.gs. Mexican Hat plant, Kalanchoe daigremontiana –
plantlets produced around its leaves drop to the ground and
produce new plants.
Dividing starfish
Parthenogenesis
Development of offspring from unfertilized eggs.
In honey bees there are three specialized types of bee
Drones develop from unfertilized eggs. They are haploid male
individuals whole main role is to produce sperm and mate
with a queen.
A worker bee is a non-reproducing (sterile) female which
performs supportive roles for the colony.
The queen is the adult, mated female who produces most of
the bees in the colony.
The honey bee (male drones)
Asexual reproduction
Advantages Disadvantages
No need for
tinder/match.com/christianming
le/eharmony
No variation=>if parent is suited Less adaptability due to lack of
to environment so is offspring variation

Rapid Resources may be exhausted

due to rapid reproduction

No pregnancy burden on parent

Class Dimissed