Welcome back
to Science
Class!
Learning Objectives:
[Link] and contrast the
modes of reproduction among
animals.
[Link] how animals
reproduce.
Modes of
Reproduction in
Animals
Animals reproduce in various ways.
The two types of reproduction are
sexual and asexual. The main
differences between the two types of
reproduction are the number of parents
needed and the similarity of the
offspring to the parent.
Asexual
Reproduction
The mode of reproduction where only one
parent is involved and no reproductive cells
or gametes are involved is the process
called Asexual Reproduction. Some
invertebrate animals like the sponge,
hydra, and Planaria can reproduce
asexually.
Reproduction can still be
possible even if there is only
one parent. In animals, this is
only possible in some
invertebrates,
All vertebrates reproduce sexually,
There are various types of asexual
reproduction in animals-binary
fission, budding, and
fragmentation.
Budding
1. Budding is a type of asexual reproduction
where the parent organism produces
outgrowths called buds in its body.
2. New organisms are developed as small
buds on the outer surface of the parent
organism.
1. The buds may break off and a new
organism emerges.
2. The new organism may detach and live
independently or may remain attached
in the parent's body forming a colony.
3. Budding occurs in hydra as well as in
sponges and some worms.
Hydra (Hollow-bodied animals)
Budding is a type of asexual
reproduction wherein a bud
or outgrowth forms in the
body of the parent organism.
This bud will grow and will
then detach from the parent
and become a new organism.
This type of reproduction is
seen in hydras and other
cnidarians.
Hydras are composed of several
kinds of cells. As budding begins,
undifferentiated cells on the side
of the parent hydra undergo
repeated divisions, producing a
small mound of cells.
These cells continue to divide, and in a
few days a small, complete hydra with a
mouth and tentacles is formed. The
hydra bud eventually separates from
the parent. Both hydras and sponges
can reproduce sexually and asexually.
Regeneration
1. Regeneration is the ability of an organism to
regrow lost body parts. Simple animals such
as Planaria, starfish, and earthworm have
the ability to regenerate lost parts.
2. If a Planaria is cut into several pieces, each
of the pieces will grow into a complete
worm.
A starfish feeds on oysters. Oyster harvesters used
to destroy the starfish they caught by cutting them
into pieces and tossing the pieces back into the
water.
They did not know that each part of a starfish can
regenerate into a whole new organism as long as it
contains a piece of the central disc.
Instead of reducing the number of starfishes,
oyster harvesters were actually helping the starfish
to multiply.
As animals become more complex, the
power of regeneration decreases. A
crab can regrow a lost claw but cannot
regenerate a whole animal from small
pieces. Mammals can repair damaged
tissues but cannot regenerate a lost leg
or even a toe.
Planaria
Starfish
1. Planarians belong to the group of animals called
flatworms. They live in streams, lakes, seawater,
or damp soil. They may have green, yellow, or
black stripes or are plain gray, brown, or black in
color.
2. The planarian can regenerate into an entire
animal from a fairly small segment. However,
they can also reproduce sexually because they
have a well-developed reproductive system.
The starfish belongs to the
group called spiny-skinned
animals. The body of the
starfish consists of a central disc
from which the arms radiate.
Starfish has an amazing ability
to regenerate missing parts.
Moreover, starfish can
reproduce sexually.
Fragmentation
1. It is a type of asexual reproduction
wherein "fragments" of the animal's body
are able to grow into new seperate
organisms.
2. Examples of other animals exhibiting
this type of reproduction are sponges,
corals, and sea stars.
Binary Fission
1. Binary fission comes from the word bi, which
means "two," and fiss, which means "separate"
or "cut."
2. It is a type of asexual reproduction wherein an
organism splits, forming two new organisms.
An example of an animal showing this type of
reproduction is the sea anemone.
Sea Anemone
Parthenogenesis
1. This mode of reproduction is usually found
in females where growth and development
of embryos occur without fertilization by a
male.
2. Parthenogenesis occurs naturally in some
invertebrates like the species of wasps, bees,
and ants.
Parthenogenesis
For example, in bees, the queen bee mates
only once. She can then produce either
unfertilized eggs or fertilized eggs. The
unfertilized eggs become male drones while
the fertilized eggs become female workers
or queens.
Advantages and
Disadvantages of
Asexual Reproduction
in Animals
1. Animals that remain alone in one particular
area can propagate its generation in the
absence of a mate.
2. Numerous offsprings can be produced without
costing the parent a great amount of energy or
time.
3. In a constant environment, a large number of
populations can be produced in a short period
of time.
Disadvantages of asexual reproduction to
animals are as follows:
1. All of the organisms are genetically
identical and therefore share the same
weaknesses.
2. If the stable environment changes, the
consequences could be fatal or deadly to
all of the individuals.
