Big Idea: Characteristics from parents are

passed to offspring in predictable ways

Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

Essential Question: How do organisms reproduce?

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Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction p114

One Becomes Two

What is asexual reproduction?
• Reproduction involves various kinds of cell
division.

• Most single-celled organisms and some

multicellular organisms reproduce asexually.

• In asexual reproduction, one organism

produces one or more new organisms that
are genetically identical to itself.
Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction P114-115

How do organisms reproduce asexually?

• The organism that produces the new organism or
organisms is called a parent.

• Each new organism is called an offspring.

• The offspring produced by asexual reproduction are

genetically identical to their parents.

• Prokaryotes, including bacteria, reproduce asexually by cell

division.
• Some eukaryotes, including many multicellular organisms,
reproduce asexually by more complex processes—types of
cell division called mitosis.
Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction P115

How do organisms reproduce asexually?

• Binary fission is the form of
asexual reproduction in
prokaryotes.
• Cell division
• Parent Cell splits into two

• Budding occurs when a bud

grows on an organism and
develops into a full-sized
organism.
• Budding is the result of
mitosis.
Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction P115
How do organisms reproduce asexually?
• A spore is a specialized cell that can
survive harsh conditions.
• Spores, produced asexually by one
parent, are light and can be carried
by the wind.

• Some plants can reproduce

asexually by vegetative
reproduction.
• Vegetative reproduction happens
through mitosis.
• New plants grow from stems, roots,
or leaves.
• Runners, tubers, plantlets
• Drop off plant and grow on their own
 Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction P116

Two Make One

What is sexual reproduction?

• Most multicellular organisms can reproduce sexually.

• In sexual reproduction, two parents each contribute a sex
cell to the new organism.
• Half the genes in the offspring come from each parent.
• Males produce sex cells called sperm cells.
• Females produce sex cells called eggs.
• Sex cells are produced by meiosis.
• Sex cells have half of the set of genetic material found in body
cells.
Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction P116

What is sexual reproduction?

• Sex cells have half of the set of genetic material found in
body cells.
• A sperm and an egg join together in a process called
fertilization.
• When an egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, a new cell, called a
zygote, is formed. It has a full set of genetic material.
• The zygote develops into a new organism. It grows through
mitosis.
 Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction P117

Odd Reproduction
• Multicellular organisms can
reproduce asexually.

• Some do this by parthenogenesis,

in which the female produces young
without fertilization.

• Other organisms reproduce

asexually by regeneration.

• Other organisms reproduce

asexually by fragmentation, in
which segments fall off and become
new organisms.
 P118-119 Advantages Disadvantages

Asexual Reproduction •
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•
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Sexual Reproduction •
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Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction P117-118

Added Advantage
What are the advantages of each type of reproduction?

• Asexual reproduction has its advantages.

• It allows an organism to reproduce very quickly,

and ensures that any favorable traits the parent
has are passed on to the offspring.

• Reproduction can occur without a partner, and all

offspring can reproduce.

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Unit 2 Lesson 3 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction P117-118

What are the advantages of each type of reproduction?

• Sexual reproduction has its advantages.

• It increases genetic variation. Offspring have

different traits, which improves the chance that at
least some will survive.

• Some organisms can use both types of

reproduction. This allows them to spread quickly,
and adapt to changes in the environment as well.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

 P117-118 Advantages Disadvantages

Asexual Reproduction • Quick

• Does not need a • Cannot adapt to a
partner changing
• Offspring are identical environment.
• All offspring are able • No genetic variation
to produce more (unless mutation
offspring occurs)
• Can produce many •
offspring at one time

Sexual Reproduction • Increases genetic • Slow

variation – offspring • Does require
are not identical to partner
parent (relationships)
• Increases chance of •
survival in changing
environments
• Requires complex
structures