Asexual reproduction
One parent, identical young
- Reproduction makes new organisms of the same kind.
- Asexual reproduction needs only one parent.
- The offspring have exactly the same genes — they are identical (clones).
Practice
Asexual reproduction needs:
Only one parent is needed; the offspring are genetically identical (clones).
Practice
The offspring of asexual reproduction are genetically identical to the parent.
They are clones — they have exactly the same genes as the single parent.
Good and bad points
- Advantage: fast, and needs only one parent — useful when conditions are good and stable.
- Disadvantage: all offspring are identical, so if the environment changes (e.g. a new disease) they may all die.
- In crops: identical plants give an even harvest, but one disease can wipe out the whole crop.
Practice
A disadvantage of asexual reproduction is that:
With no variation, the whole population shares the same weaknesses, so an environmental change can wipe them out.
You've got it
Key idea
- asexual reproduction = one parent, genetically identical offspring (clones)
- + fast, only one parent needed (good in stable conditions)
- − no variation, so a change like a new disease can kill them all