Types of Reproduction in Living Organisms

Study Notes

Asexual Reproduction: A single parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.
- Examples: Bacteria, Archaea, some Protists, and some Fungi.
- Methods: Binary fission, fragmentation, budding, and vegetative propagation.
Sexual Reproduction: Two parents contribute genetic material to produce offspring with unique combinations of genes.
- Examples: Animals, Plants, Fungi, and some Protists.
- Methods: Syngamy (fusion of gametes), conjugation, and crossing over.

Meiosis: The process of gamete formation, resulting in four non-identical daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Gametogenesis: The development of gametes (sperm or egg cells).
Fertilization: The fusion of gametes to form a zygote.
Embryogenesis: The development of the zygote into a mature organism.

R-Selection: Produce many offspring with minimal parental investment, often in unpredictable environments.
K-Selection: Produce few offspring with high parental investment, often in stable environments.

Viviparity: Offspring develop inside the mother's body and receive nourishment from her.
Ovoviviparity: Eggs develop inside the mother's body, but receive no nourishment from her.
Oviparity: Eggs are laid outside the mother's body, and offspring receive no nourishment from her.

** Sexual Dimorphism**: Males and females exhibit different physical characteristics.
Mating Systems: Monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, and promiscuity.
Reproductive Barriers: Mechanisms that prevent reproduction between different species, such as behavioral, physiological, or genetic barriers.

Asexual reproduction involves a single parent producing offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.
Examples of asexual reproduction include bacteria, archaea, some protists, and some fungi.
Methods of asexual reproduction include binary fission, fragmentation, budding, and vegetative propagation.
Sexual reproduction involves two parents contributing genetic material to produce offspring with unique combinations of genes.
Examples of sexual reproduction include animals, plants, fungi, and some protists.
Methods of sexual reproduction include syngamy (fusion of gametes), conjugation, and crossing over.

Meiosis is the process of gamete formation, resulting in four non-identical daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Gametogenesis is the development of gametes (sperm or egg cells).
Fertilization is the fusion of gametes to form a zygote.
Embryogenesis is the development of the zygote into a mature organism.

R-Selection involves producing many offspring with minimal parental investment, often in unpredictable environments.
K-Selection involves producing few offspring with high parental investment, often in stable environments.

Viviparity is a reproductive mode in which offspring develop inside the mother's body and receive nourishment from her.
Ovoviviparity is a reproductive mode in which eggs develop inside the mother's body, but receive no nourishment from her.
Oviparity is a reproductive mode in which eggs are laid outside the mother's body, and offspring receive no nourishment from her.

Sexual dimorphism refers to the phenomenon where males and females exhibit different physical characteristics.
Mating systems include monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, and promiscuity.
Reproductive barriers are mechanisms that prevent reproduction between different species, such as behavioral, physiological, or genetic barriers.