How Are Asexual & Sexual Reproduction Different?
The word "sex" elicits feelings and visions of people, acts of passion and lust. Sex is not without purpose. In humans, the function is to mix genes with a partner and propagate. Asexual reproduction exists in many species, but the offspring only get their genetic information from a single parent.
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Sexual Reproduction
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Sexual reproduction is when two separate sex cells are needed to create a new member of the species. In higher mammals, the egg and sperm cells are most often referred to as the sex cells. Each cell contains the genetic information of the parent contributing to the offspring.
Sexual reproduction requires various degrees of courting, such as a bird singing to attract a mate, and can be sensitive to seasonal variations. The female human gets a monthly menstruation, enabling the female to get pregnant monthly, or until she is pregnant, at which point the signs and ability are shut down.
Asexual Reproduction
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Asexual reproduction is reproducing a living creature that is literally a clone of the original animal. This is done usually by growing a piece that is meant to eventually be shut off and go from parasitic to independent. It will have all the same genetic and functions of its parent. Asexual reproduction is a simple and guaranteed way of ensuring survival of a species.
This is most often why it is seen in more primitive life forms. There are some animals that do reproduce asexually such as the whiptail lizard, a type of lizard common everywhere from the Southwest United States through Mexico and South America. This is a true female-only species and a rarity. Another such species is a certain type of minnow in Minnesota that thrives in both highly oxygenated and highly poor water. In both cases it is thought that these may actually be hybrids that have developed this ability and possess two sets of chromosomes altogether.
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Benefits
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As sexual reproduction requires two different sets of genetic information and also partner selection, it gives the creature control over who it chooses. This is important if, for example, one potential mate had characteristics particularly good for certain conditions in the environment while another did not. This type of passive selecting of traits can lead to evolution. This, in turn, changes the species to better weather its environment and thrive in its environment. In addition, sexual reproduction, due to the fact thtat two sets of genes are present, can give way to a whole new species in itself.
The benefits of asexual reproduction is a guarantee that the creature will in fact have offspring and no major issues or hassle to find a perfect time or even partner.
Cons of Sexual Reproduction
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Sexual reproduction takes time and energy. Whatever the species, the male, most often, spends a lot of time trying to woo the female. The female likewise tries to enhance her place on the ladder of desirability. The whole purpose of this ritual is for the best suited of each sex to bring the best genetics into the sexual reproductive lottery.
When dealing with so many variables, what is and is not desirable is often subjective. In stable societies, such as the one humans have, change of ideals is based on many non-biological factors. Breeding can get sloppy and the offspring can also inherit two genes that may be deadly to it, getting one from each parent. Mixing of genes can lead to undesirable traits, disease and deformities.
Cons of Asexual Reproduction
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Unlike sexual reproduction, the need to reproduce can occur any time for asexual reproducers. It can be carried out rather spontaneously, and there is no need to look for, court or otherwise impress a partner to carry out reproduction.
The single biggest con to asexual reproduction is that no evolution can ever take place. All of those that reproduce asexually will remain the same organism. If weather or any environmental changes occur, the asexual reproducer literally just allows for survival of the best placed, not necessarily the fittest. Also, no new species can ever develop with asexual reproducers.
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