What is
for the survival of a species, as
reproduction?
Reproduction is the production of
new individuals (or offspring/
children) from parents. The new
individuals are of the same species.
Reproduction is possible from a single
parent or from two parents
depending on the organism.
Importance of
reproduction:
Reproduction is crucial for the
continuation and survival of all
species, including humans. It is the
biological process by which
organisms produce offspring that
inherit their genetic material.
Reproduction ensures that a
species can continue to exist over
time and adapt to changing
environmental conditions.
SEVERAL REASONS
WHY IS IT
IMPORTANT:
1. Continuation of the species:
Reproduction ensures that a
species can continue to exist
over time, even if some
individuals die or are unable
to reproduce.
2. Genetic diversity: Through
reproduction, genetic material
is passed from one generation
to the next, creating genetic
diversity within a population.
Genetic diversity is important
it allows for adaptation to
changing environmental
conditions.
3. Evolution: Reproduction is a
key component of the process
of evolution. Mutations that
occur during the reproduction
process can lead to the
development of new traits
that may be beneficial for
survival in certain
environments.
4. Maintaining ecosystem
balance: Reproduction helps
to maintain the balance of
ecosystems by ensuring that
there are enough individuals
of each species to perform
important ecological
functions, such as pollination
or nutrient cycling.
Differentiate asexual
and sexual
Asexual reproduction involves a
single organism reproducing
without the involvement of
another organism. This means that
the offspring are genetically
identical to the parent organism,
as they have the same genetic
material. Asexual reproduction is
common in single-celled
organisms, such as bacteria and
protists, as well as in some
multicellular organisms, such as
certain plants and animals.
Examples of asexual reproduction
include binary fission, budding,
and fragmentation.
 Asexual reproduction
involves a single parent,
while sexual reproduction
involves two parents.
 Asexual reproduction
produces genetically
identical offspring, while
sexual reproduction
produces genetically diverse
offspring.
 Asexual reproduction is
faster and requires less
energy than sexual
reproduction, but it does
not allow for genetic
diversity and may not be as
adaptable to changing
environments.
 Sexual reproduction allows
for genetic diversity, which
can increase the chances of
survival in changing
environments, but it
requires more time and
energy than asexual
reproduction.
MODES OF
ASEXUAL AND
SEXUAL:
Asexual Reproduction:
1. Binary Fission - Occurs in
bacteria and some single-
celled organisms where a
parent organism divides
into two equal halves, each
with the same genetic
material.
2. Budding - Involves the
outgrowth of a new
individual from the parent
organism, which eventually
separates and grows
independently.
3. Fragmentation - Occurs
when the body of the
parent organism breaks into
several fragments, each of
which can grow into a new
individual.
4. Spore Formation – where an
egg develops into a new
individual without being
fertilized by sperm.
5. Vegetative Propagation -
where a new plant develops
from the vegetative parts of
the parent plant such as
roots, stems, and leaves.
This is commonly seen in
plants like potatoes and
strawberries.
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES:
ADVANTAGES:
1. Ensures survival of species:
Reproduction is essential
 for the continuation of a
species. By producing
offspring, organisms ensure
that their genes are passed
on to the next generation,
ensuring the survival of the
species.
2. Genetic diversity: Sexual
reproduction leads to
genetic diversity, which
allows for adaptation to
changing environments.
This allows for the survival
of a species even in harsh or
changing environments.
3. Increases population:
Reproduction helps to
increase the population of a
species, which can be
beneficial in maintaining a
healthy ecosystem and food
chain.
4. Repairs damage: Some
organisms, such as
planarians, can use asexual
reproduction to regenerate
damaged tissues, allowing
for repair and regrowth of
organs or limbs.
Kinds of ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION:
DISADVANTAGES:
1. Requires energy and
resources: Reproduction
requires a significant
amount of energy and
resources from an
organism, which can reduce
its ability to perform other
functions, such as growth or
defense.
2. Risk of mutation: In sexual
reproduction, there is a
chance of genetic
mutations, which can lead
to genetic disorders or
diseases in offspring.
3. Competition for resources:
Increased population due to
reproduction can lead to
competition for resources
such as food, water, and
shelter. This can cause
stress and lower the overall
survival rate of the species.
4. Risk of predation:
Reproducing organisms are
often vulnerable to
predation, which can limit
their reproductive success.
1. Binary fission - where a single
cell divides into two identical
daughter cells.
EX.
Amoeba: Amoeba is a
unicellular organism that
reproduces through binary
fission. When conditions are
favorable, the amoeba divides
 into two identical daughter
cells.
2. Budding - where a new
individual grows from an
outgrowth or bud on the
parent organism.
EX.
Jellyfish: Some species of
jellyfish reproduce through
budding. The new individual
grows out of the parent's body
and eventually detaches to
form a new jellyfish.
3. Regeneration/Fragmentation -
where an organism breaks
into several pieces, each of
which can grow into a new
individual.
EX.
produce spores through the
process of mitosis, and each
spore can grow into a new
individual.
5. Vegetative Propagation–an
asexual reproduction where In
plants can be produced from
vegetative structures such as
some plants’ roots, stems, and
leaves.
EX.
Strawberry: Strawberries
reproduce through
vegetative propagation. The
runners that grow from the
parent plant develop new
strawberry plants.

Algae: Some species of

algae can reproduce
through fragmentation. If
an alga breaks into pieces,
each piece can grow into a
new individual.

4. Spore formation- where an

egg develops into a new
individual without being
fertilized by sperm.
EX:

Fungi: Fungi are one of the

most common organisms
that reproduce through
spore formation. Fungi