Pros and cons of asexual and sexual reproduction.
Plants and animals use two methods of reproduction to ensure that their species continues. One of the two methods is sexual reproduction. It involves the fusing of two gametes from each parent to produce the offspring.
Pros of Sexual Reproduction
In sexual reproduction, unlike in asexual reproduction two parents are involved. Two gamete cells are involved. Fertilization takes place mixing the genetic material together. One of the main advantages of sexual reproduction is that there is a large chance of an evolution taking place. Thus the species would be able to adapt to new environmental conditions. Also new species could be born. Another advantage is that a new character is formed with the mixed gametes of the parents so there is a chance that the parent’s diseases would not be received by the offspring.
Cons of Sexual Reproduction
One of the disadvantages is that only half the population (females) is capable of gestation. Another one of the disadvantages is that two parents have to be involved in the process. Also having to find a mate and producing gamete cells is also another disadvantage. Fertilization has to take place and there is no guarantee that the nucleus of the male sex cell would fuse with the female sex cell. Also this takes a long time and there is no grantee that an offspring would be born.
Asexual Reproduction
Fragmentation is another type of asexual reproduction common in plants.Asexual reproduction is a form of reproduction which only involves one parent. Some methods of asexual reproduction are the vegetative method. It is common in plants is where parts of the plant fall of and form new ones. E.g. potato tubers
Pros of Asexual Reproduction
There are many advantages of asexual reproduction. One of them is that only one parent is needed. There is a large guarantee that the offspring would be born. It takes a very short period and genetic material need not be produce. Fertilization is not there. They have identical characteristics as their parents. They are always of the same species. Asexual reproduction is more reliable because there are less steps to follow so less can go wrong.
Cons of Asexual Reproduction
One of the cons of asexual reproduction is that there is almost no chance of an evolution taking place. The offspring would almost always be of the same species and would be identical to the parents, so diseases and bad qualities are also passed down directly from the parents to the offspring. One of the common disadvantages of plants using the vegetative method is that there will be a struggle for light, space, nutrients and soil so most plants will remain less healthy.
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