Question
When organisms reproduce, they pass genetic material (DNA) on to their offspring, or children. All living things reproduce, and all reproduction can be classified as either sexual or asexual.
During asexual reproduction, a single parent produces offspring. Each offspring inherits an exact copy of the parent’s DNA. Because they are genetically identical to each other and their parent, offspring in asexual reproduction are referred to as clones.
A diagram of asexual reproduction. The parent cell has a red and yellow circle representing genetic material. All four offspring also have one red and one yellow circle.
Asexual reproduction can occur in a variety of ways. Some of these are shown below.
A diagram of asexual reproduction. The parent cell has a red and yellow circle representing genetic material. All four offspring also have one red and one yellow circle.
Credit: Bacteria achromatium Maple Ferryman, CC Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license, via Wikimedia Commons. Image rotated from original.
Three new growths shoot out from a larger piece of a starfish
Credit: Rainbow Star (Orthasterias koehleri) by mckittre, CC-BY 4.0 license. Cropped from original.
A microscopic view of a green hydra with a long, tubular body and symmetric tentacles. Two buds have sprouted from the hydra’s body, one pointing to the left and the other to the right.
Binary fission: A parent divides into two offspring. This is common in bacteria. Fragmentation: A piece (fragment) of the parent breaks off and develops into a new organism. Budding: A new organism develops from a small “bud” on the parent’s body.
1
Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. Not all answer choices will be used.
In binary fission, fragmentation, and budding, offspring are genetically
each other because they get their DNA from
.
2
Examine the images shown in the table above Question 1. What is true of organisms that reproduce asexually?
A
They always live underwater
B
They are typically small and simple
C
They have complex body structures
D
They are harmful to humans
Asexual reproduction is quick and efficient because it does not require organisms to find a mate. However, asexual reproduction makes a population vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes. Since all offspring have the same DNA, an environmental pressure that negatively affects one organism is likely to harm the entire population.
On the other hand, most complex organisms, including many plants and animals, reproduce sexually. In sexual reproduction, there are two parents, each with reproductive cells called gametes. Each gamete contains half of the parent’s DNA, randomly assorted so that no two gametes are alike.
A diagram showing sexual reproduction. Two parents, one with a yellow and red circle and another with a light green and dark green triangle, produce unique gametes. Gametes combine to form offspring with different combinations of circles and triangles.
When a gamete from one parent joins a gamete from the other, the result is a unique combination of both parents’ DNA. Because of this, offspring of sexual reproduction have genetic variation, or differences in their DNA. This makes a population more adaptable to environmental changes.
However, since sexual reproduction involves two parents, it requires more time and energy than asexual reproduction. Compare bears and bacteria, for example. Bears take almost two years to produce offspring, while some kinds of bacteria divide every 20 minutes!
3
According to the text, how are sexual and asexual reproduction similar?
A
They both result in the production of offspring
B
They require similar amounts of time and energy
C
They both create offspring very little genetic variation
D
They both involve reproductive cells called gametes
4
Fill in the blanks to complete the sentences. Not all answer choices will be used.
Offspring of sexual reproduction inherit a
of parent DNA. As a result, they have
genetic variation than offspring of asexual reproduction.
5
Like most animals, bears reproduce sexually. How would the world change if bears were suddenly able to reproduce asexually, like bacteria? Briefly justify your answer.
During asexual reproduction, a single parent produces offspring. Each offspring inherits an exact copy of the parent’s DNA. Because they are genetically identical to each other and their parent, offspring in asexual reproduction are referred to as clones.
A diagram of asexual reproduction. The parent cell has a red and yellow circle representing genetic material. All four offspring also have one red and one yellow circle.
Asexual reproduction can occur in a variety of ways. Some of these are shown below.
A diagram of asexual reproduction. The parent cell has a red and yellow circle representing genetic material. All four offspring also have one red and one yellow circle.
Credit: Bacteria achromatium Maple Ferryman, CC Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license, via Wikimedia Commons. Image rotated from original.
Three new growths shoot out from a larger piece of a starfish
Credit: Rainbow Star (Orthasterias koehleri) by mckittre, CC-BY 4.0 license. Cropped from original.
A microscopic view of a green hydra with a long, tubular body and symmetric tentacles. Two buds have sprouted from the hydra’s body, one pointing to the left and the other to the right.
Binary fission: A parent divides into two offspring. This is common in bacteria. Fragmentation: A piece (fragment) of the parent breaks off and develops into a new organism. Budding: A new organism develops from a small “bud” on the parent’s body.
1
Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. Not all answer choices will be used.
In binary fission, fragmentation, and budding, offspring are genetically
each other because they get their DNA from
.
2
Examine the images shown in the table above Question 1. What is true of organisms that reproduce asexually?
A
They always live underwater
B
They are typically small and simple
C
They have complex body structures
D
They are harmful to humans
Asexual reproduction is quick and efficient because it does not require organisms to find a mate. However, asexual reproduction makes a population vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes. Since all offspring have the same DNA, an environmental pressure that negatively affects one organism is likely to harm the entire population.
On the other hand, most complex organisms, including many plants and animals, reproduce sexually. In sexual reproduction, there are two parents, each with reproductive cells called gametes. Each gamete contains half of the parent’s DNA, randomly assorted so that no two gametes are alike.
A diagram showing sexual reproduction. Two parents, one with a yellow and red circle and another with a light green and dark green triangle, produce unique gametes. Gametes combine to form offspring with different combinations of circles and triangles.
When a gamete from one parent joins a gamete from the other, the result is a unique combination of both parents’ DNA. Because of this, offspring of sexual reproduction have genetic variation, or differences in their DNA. This makes a population more adaptable to environmental changes.
However, since sexual reproduction involves two parents, it requires more time and energy than asexual reproduction. Compare bears and bacteria, for example. Bears take almost two years to produce offspring, while some kinds of bacteria divide every 20 minutes!
3
According to the text, how are sexual and asexual reproduction similar?
A
They both result in the production of offspring
B
They require similar amounts of time and energy
C
They both create offspring very little genetic variation
D
They both involve reproductive cells called gametes
4
Fill in the blanks to complete the sentences. Not all answer choices will be used.
Offspring of sexual reproduction inherit a
of parent DNA. As a result, they have
genetic variation than offspring of asexual reproduction.
5
Like most animals, bears reproduce sexually. How would the world change if bears were suddenly able to reproduce asexually, like bacteria? Briefly justify your answer.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
1. In binary fission, fragmentation, and budding, offspring are genetically **identical to** each other because they get their DNA from **the single parent**.
2. Examine the images shown in the table above Question 1. What is true of organisms that reproduce asexually?
**B. They are typically small and simple.**
3. According to the text, how are sexual and asexual reproduction similar?
**A. They both result in the production of offspring.**
4. Offspring of sexual reproduction inherit a **combination** of parent DNA. As a result, they have **more** genetic variation than offspring of asexual reproduction.
5. If bears were suddenly able to reproduce asexually, like bacteria, the world could change significantly. The bear population might grow much more rapidly due to the faster reproduction rate. However, this could also lead to a lack of genetic diversity, making the population more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes. If a disease or significant environmental change affected one bear, it could potentially harm the entire population, leading to dramatic declines or extinction, unlike currently where genetic variation allows for adaptation and survival.
2. Examine the images shown in the table above Question 1. What is true of organisms that reproduce asexually?
**B. They are typically small and simple.**
3. According to the text, how are sexual and asexual reproduction similar?
**A. They both result in the production of offspring.**
4. Offspring of sexual reproduction inherit a **combination** of parent DNA. As a result, they have **more** genetic variation than offspring of asexual reproduction.
5. If bears were suddenly able to reproduce asexually, like bacteria, the world could change significantly. The bear population might grow much more rapidly due to the faster reproduction rate. However, this could also lead to a lack of genetic diversity, making the population more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes. If a disease or significant environmental change affected one bear, it could potentially harm the entire population, leading to dramatic declines or extinction, unlike currently where genetic variation allows for adaptation and survival.