What Is Asexual?

Asexuality, in the biological sense, involves reproduction by a reproductive process but does not involve the joining of sex cells. Individuals who are asexual lack sexual attraction toward others and do not have the desire for sexual relationships.

Asexuality in Biology

In asexual reproduction, organisms give rise to identical offspring, containing all of the same genetic information as the parent.

The Asexual Flatworm

Flatworms are common organisms used in the science laboratory to describe asexual reproduction. Flatworms split into two parts that each develop into an adult flatworm. Regardless of how many times one flatworm reproduces, there will be no difference in the genetic makeup of the offspring.

Cell Repair

A fall from a skateboard could result in a scrape on the arm. Asexual or mitotic cell divisions will replace the cells that were lost on the ground because of the fall. Mitosis is the division of a mother cell into daughter cells that contain half of the cytoplasm and a copy of the DNA from the mother cell. Cells divide to generate growth, development and repairs of our bodies.

Asexuality in Society

Asexuality in humans is associated to a way of life, rather than a life science. Although scientists are currently debating whether asexuality is a choice or is biological.

Common Household Examples

Some common houseplants asexually reproduce mini plants on their stems or leaves that later become clones of the original. Another familiar asexual example is baker's yeast. Without it, the bread in the kitchen would be flat and dense.

References

• Merriam-Webster: Asexuality
• BiologyCorner: Flatworms
• What Does Mitosis Do?

Resources

• The Toronto Star: The Fourth Sexual Orientation?