Reproduction is the only life process among organisms that ensures the perpetuation of the species. Asexual reproduction is a simple method of creating new individuals from pre-existing ones. Five principal methods of asexual reproduction are identified: (I) binary fission, (II) multiple fission, (III) fragmentation, (IV) budding and (V) sporulation.
(I) Binary fission: It is a simple mitotic division in which each new cell receives half of the cytoplasm of the original cell. The line of cytoplasmic may be either diverse or longitudinal. Examples include Protista, Monera.
(II) Multiple fission: It differs from binary fission in that the nucleus is divided mitotically repeatedly before any cytokinesis occurs. Some amoebae, malaria parasites undergo multiple fission.
(III) Fragmentation: It is the breaking off of parts of an organism and later each part differentiating into complete full-size organism. Some helminths, annelids experience fragmentation.
(IV) Budding: It refers to an unequal division of the organism's body – the smaller new individual is the bud. Some sponges and hydras exhibit budding.
(V) Sporulation: It is a process whereby within a cyst many nuclear divisions produce many cells. These cells combine in pairs, forming zygotes which secret protective covering. Sporulation commonly occurs in parasitic organisms.
(I) Binary fission: It is a simple mitotic division in which each new cell receives half of the cytoplasm of the original cell. The line of cytoplasmic may be either diverse or longitudinal. Examples include Protista, Monera.
(II) Multiple fission: It differs from binary fission in that the nucleus is divided mitotically repeatedly before any cytokinesis occurs. Some amoebae, malaria parasites undergo multiple fission.
(III) Fragmentation: It is the breaking off of parts of an organism and later each part differentiating into complete full-size organism. Some helminths, annelids experience fragmentation.
(IV) Budding: It refers to an unequal division of the organism's body – the smaller new individual is the bud. Some sponges and hydras exhibit budding.
(V) Sporulation: It is a process whereby within a cyst many nuclear divisions produce many cells. These cells combine in pairs, forming zygotes which secret protective covering. Sporulation commonly occurs in parasitic organisms.
