Reproduction is the term used to describe the process of the formation of new individual organisms from the fertilized egg. Sexual reproduction takes place when two gametes (sperm and egg) unite and form a zygote (fertilized egg).
It is called sexual reproduction because this union takes place in a sexual manner. It produces offspring which can be male or female. This type of reproduction does not happen in animals, plants, or fungi, but it is possible in humans and other vertebrates.
| Asexual Reproduction | Sexual Reproduction |
| Asexual reproduction occurs through fission (a division of a single organism into two daughter cells). | Sexual reproduction is when gametes (sperm or egg) combine to form a zygote (fertilized egg). |
| Resulting in identical offspring. | Resulting with offsprings who possess a combination of their parents’ genetic traits. |
| Occurs in fungi and plants. | Occurs in humans and animals. |
Asexual reproduction occurs when there are no gametes involved in reproduction. It only involves self-reproduction of individuals. Asexual reproduction is also known as parthenogenesis. This type of reproduction occurs when an individual reproduces without any genetic contribution from another individual.
Asexual reproduction occurs through fission (a division of a single organism into two daughter cells), budding (a division of a single cell that divides into two daughter cells), apomixis (self-fertilization) and budding.
In a fission type of reproduction, one cell splits into two cells which are genetically identical to each other and are the same size. This type of reproduction is asexual and it only involves genetic material from one parent.
In budding, a single cell divides into two daughter cells which are genetically identical to each other and are the same size. This type of reproduction is also asexual and it only involves genetic material from one parent.
In apomixis, the parent produces all the eggs that it will ever produce, and these eggs develop into an embryo. These embryos are genetically identical to each other and are produced by one parent.
Sexual reproduction is when gametes (sperm or egg) combine to form a zygote (fertilized egg). It is called sexual because this union takes place in a sexual manner. This type of reproduction produces an offspring which can be male or female.
The gametes involved in sexual reproduction are called sex cells. There are two types of sex cells: male and female gametes. The difference between the two is that male gametes have an X chromosome and produce sperm cells, while female gametes have an X and a Y chromosome and produce eggs.
When two gametes unite to form a zygote, the result is an organism which is genetically identical to both parents. This type of reproduction does not happen in plants or fungi, but it is possible in humans and animals.
