Asexual Reproduction

Fission

Binary

Multiple

Organism splits into two or more new individuals

Division of organism into 2 nearly identical individuals

First, the nucleus divides into two

2nd, the cytoplasm splits

Finally, the cell splits into 2 new daughter cells

Takes place in favourable conditions

Seen in amoeba, leishmania, euglena, etc

In Leishmania, it occurs through the longitudinal plane

Division of organism into many new individuals

The nucleus divides repeatedly to form many nuclei

Covering called cyst is formed

Each nucleus gets surrounded by some cytoplasm and many daughter cells are produced

Takes place during unfavourable conditions

Takes place in algae, plasmodium and sporozoans

Fragmentation

Involves breaking of body into pieces called fragments upon maturity

The fragments give rise to new individuals

Seen in simple multicellular organisms like spirogyra, cyanobacteria, fungi

No specialized cells required

Budding

New individual is formed as outgrowth of parent called bud

New individual separates out upon maturity and continues to exist

In Hydra, which is multicellular, 1 bud is produced w/o any chain

In yeast, which is unicellular, many buds are produced in a chain

Regeneration

If parent is cut or broken, then each piece gives rise to a new individual

Each new individual has to grow and it is an accidental process

Specialized cells are required

Seen in hydra, tapeworm and flatworm

Spore Formation

Formation of new individual by germination of spores

Spores are unicellular bodies that are capable of growing into a new individual and have a covering

Spores are contained in a bulb like structures called the sporangia

After some time the sporangium bursts and spores are released into the air

When spores land on some food or soil, they germinate into new individuals

Seen in Rhizopus and other fungi