Reproduction
Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction
The purpose of reproduction is reproduce, and the survival of a species depends on its reproductive success. For all living organisms there are two types of reproduction: asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. In asexual reproduction only one organism is needed to reproduce, while in sexual reproduction you need a male and female.
In asexual reproduction (completed by unicellular organisms and some plants) chromosomes stay the same. The offspring are clones of the parent, and only require mitosis, so that cells can replicate. While in sexual reproduction the offspring receive 23 chromosomes from each parent, and involves meiosis. A difference between asexual and sexual reproduction is that in sexual reproduction the genetic material is split evenly to the offspring. In asexual reproduction there is no generic variability, due to its single source of genetic material. A lack of sexual reproduction compromises an organisms ability to adapt to an environment because they do not benefit from the benefits of sexual reproduction[1].
Mitosis vs. Meiosis
Mitosis: The process of Mitosis is the duplication of a cell. During the life of a cell, 90% is spent in a phase called interphase, while the other 10% is actually spent performing mitosis.
Meiosis: Meiosis is the process of cell division that results haploid cells. A haploid cell contains only contains a single set of chromosomes. During fertilization each parent gives a single haploid, resulting in a diploid cell (which contains a full set of chromosomes) [2].
Mitosis is used by unicellular (such as bacteria) and single celled organisms to reproduce; it is also used for the organic growth of tissues, fibers, and membranes. Meiosis is useful for sexual reproduction of organisms. The male and female sex cells, e.g. the sperm and egg, fertilize to create a new, organism.[3]
Giant Clam Reproduction:
Giant Clams have both male and female reproductive organs, but are not entirely believed to be asexual. Giant clams release eggs and sperm into the water, where the eggs will generally be fertilised by the sperm from another giant clam. Giant clams are able to release more than 500 million eggs at a time. Once fertilised, the eggs of the Giant Clam float around in the water for around 12 hours while the larvae hatches out. The giant clam larvae than begins to produce a shell and with just a few days, it is developed enough to find somewhere to settle on the sea floor. Giant Clams settle in one spot their entire life, and can live over 100 years! [4]
The purpose of reproduction is reproduce, and the survival of a species depends on its reproductive success. For all living organisms there are two types of reproduction: asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. In asexual reproduction only one organism is needed to reproduce, while in sexual reproduction you need a male and female.
In asexual reproduction (completed by unicellular organisms and some plants) chromosomes stay the same. The offspring are clones of the parent, and only require mitosis, so that cells can replicate. While in sexual reproduction the offspring receive 23 chromosomes from each parent, and involves meiosis. A difference between asexual and sexual reproduction is that in sexual reproduction the genetic material is split evenly to the offspring. In asexual reproduction there is no generic variability, due to its single source of genetic material. A lack of sexual reproduction compromises an organisms ability to adapt to an environment because they do not benefit from the benefits of sexual reproduction[1].
Mitosis vs. Meiosis
Mitosis: The process of Mitosis is the duplication of a cell. During the life of a cell, 90% is spent in a phase called interphase, while the other 10% is actually spent performing mitosis.
Meiosis: Meiosis is the process of cell division that results haploid cells. A haploid cell contains only contains a single set of chromosomes. During fertilization each parent gives a single haploid, resulting in a diploid cell (which contains a full set of chromosomes) [2].
Mitosis is used by unicellular (such as bacteria) and single celled organisms to reproduce; it is also used for the organic growth of tissues, fibers, and membranes. Meiosis is useful for sexual reproduction of organisms. The male and female sex cells, e.g. the sperm and egg, fertilize to create a new, organism.[3]
Giant Clam Reproduction:
Giant Clams have both male and female reproductive organs, but are not entirely believed to be asexual. Giant clams release eggs and sperm into the water, where the eggs will generally be fertilised by the sperm from another giant clam. Giant clams are able to release more than 500 million eggs at a time. Once fertilised, the eggs of the Giant Clam float around in the water for around 12 hours while the larvae hatches out. The giant clam larvae than begins to produce a shell and with just a few days, it is developed enough to find somewhere to settle on the sea floor. Giant Clams settle in one spot their entire life, and can live over 100 years! [4]