Describe the different methods of asexual reproduction. Give examples.

Solution:

Different methods of asexual reproduction are as follows:

Vegetative Propagation

In this asexual reproduction, new plants are produced from roots, stems, leaves and buds of the individual plant.

Examples – Tuber of potato, the rhizome of ginger.

Budding

The bud is a small projection which gradually grows and gets detached from the parent cell and forms a new yeast cell. The new yeast cell grows, matures and produces more yeast cells.

Example – Yeast.

Fragmentation

In this mode of reproduction, the growth and multiplication are done by rapidly breaking down into two or more fragments. Each fragment grows into new individuals when water and nutrients are available.

Example – Algae

Spore Formation

This reproduction is done by spores which, under favourable conditions, germinate and develop into a new individual.

Examples – Fungi like Rhizopus, Mucor, etc.

Fission

It is a type of asexual reproduction where the unicellular organism splits to form new organisms. There are two types of fission which are,

• Binary fission
• Multiple fission

Examples

Unicellular organisms that undergo binary fission are amoeba, paramecium, leishmania, etc.

Plasmodium undergoes the process of multiple fission.