question_answer 111)

        Enumerate the differences between asexual and sexual reproduction. Describe the types of asexual reproduction exhibited by unicellular organisms.

Answer:

                  The differences between asexual and sexual reproduction are mentioned below  

Asexual Reproduction	Sexual Reproduction
Uniparental Somatic cells are involved. It involves the production of asexual spores Offspring are genetically similar to parents. The rate of reproduction is faster.	Bi parental Germ cells are involved. It involves the formation and fusion of gametes. Offspring are genetically dissimilar to parents. The rate of reproduction is slower.

  Asexual reproduction occurs usually in unicellular organisms, such as monerans  and protists and in plants and certain animals. It takes place in the following ways (i) Binary Fission In this type of asexual reproduction, the parent organism divides into two halves, each half forming an independent daughter organism. e.g., Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium. (ii) Budding In this type of asexual reproduction, a daughter individual is formed from a small projection, the bud, arising from the parent body. e.g., yeast, Hydra. (iii) Fragmentation In this type of asexual reproduction, the parent body breaks into two or more fragment. Each body fragment develops into an organism .e.g., sponges, Selaginella. (iv) Gemmule In this type of asexual reproduction, internal buds, called gemmules are involved. Gemmules are asexually reproduced mass of cells, that is capable of developing into a new organism. e.g., sponges. (v) Sporulation In this type of asexual reproduction, dispersive structures called spores are released from the parent body that germinate under favourable conditions form new individuals. (a) Motile spores are called zoospores and are found in aquatic animals .e.g., Albugo, Chlamydomonas. (b) Non-motile spores are named as sporangiospores (e.g., Rhizopus, Mucor) and conidia e.g. ,Penicillium.