Asexual Reproduction

Asexual reproduction is the process where one individual produces offspring

genetically identical to it. There is no fusion of gametes and no mixing of
genetic information. They are clones.

Types of Asexual reproduction:

Binary Fission
Binary fission involves mitosis and the reproduced individuals are genetically
identical to the parent. It is the simplest and most common method of
asexual reproduction. The whole parental body acts as the productive unit.
The nucleus of the unicellular parent organism divides into two, followed by a
division of the cytoplasm and the two daughter cells are formed. The
daughter cells grow in size and divide again.

An amoeba dividing via binary fission

Budding
Buds are outgrowths of reproductive units formed on the parental organism.
Each bud enlarges, develops the characteristics of the parent organism. A
bud may then become separated from the parent body to develop into a new
individual or separate until after completion of development.

In other

budding species, buds never separate forming colonies of interconnected

individuals.

A hydra budding

Fragmentation
The body of an organism breaks into several parts, each of which can
produce an offspring. Each fragment develops into a mature, fully grown
individual. Fragmentation is seen in many plants and animals such as
liverworts, flatworms and starfish. The splitting may not be intentional, it can
sometimes occur by natural damage or predators during the course of the
parent organisms life.

An example of flatworm fragmentation

Sporulation
In some organisms, the nucleus of the parent divides into many daughter
nuclei by repeated divisions. This follows divisions of the cytoplasm to
several parts with each holding one daughter nucleus. Bacteria, amoeba and
some forms of fungi generally divide like this when conditions are favorable
releasing many daughter cells.

Sporulation in bacteria

Advantages and Disadvantages of Asexual reproduction

Advantages

Allows organisms to reproduce offspring without a mate.

There is no need for a mate so less energy is involved.
Results in the reproduction of a large number of offspring rapidly.
It enables an organism to colonize an area in a short period of time.
Stable environments with little change are perfect for organisms to

reproduce asexually.
Organisms that are confined to one place and unable to look for mate
can reproduce asexually.

Disadvantages

The offspring produced are genetically identical to each other and the

parent.
Little to no genetic variation within the population.
Mutations to the parent cell can be potentially harmful to the survival

of the offspring.
Environmental changes and disease can be deadly to all organisms.

The Genetic Consequences of Asexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction, with both the advantages and disadvantages, is that

the offspring is genetically identical to the parent. The lack of genetic

recombination results in less genetic alternatives than sexual reproduction.

Many forms of asexual reproduction such as budding and fragmentation
produce an exact copy of the parent. The similarity in genetics can be
beneficial if the genotype is well suited to the environment with stable
conditions but can be detrimental if the environment is changing. For
example, a new pathogen or changes in condition appears in the population
and a genotype is defenseless against it, the asexual organisms are more
than likely to be wiped out. In contrast to organisms that produce sexually
have higher chances of having more members survive due to the genetic
recombination that produces a unique genotype in each individual. From an
evolutionary opinion, one could say that asexual reproduction is inferior
because it supresses the potential for change. However, there is also a
reduced chance of mutation and other complications that goes with sexual
reproduction.

References:

https://www.google.tt/search?
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http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/variation/reproduction/
http://nemertea.lifedesks.org/node/3541
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animals/asexual-reproduction-types.php
http://johnfriedmann.com/biogloss/Sporulation.htm