6.1.1: Sexual and asexual reproduction
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Sexual reproduction involves the joining (fusion) of male and female gametes.
Animal gametes are sperm and egg cells; flowering plant gametes are pollen and egg cells.
In sexual reproduction there is mixing of genetic information which leads to variety in the offspring.
The formation of gametes involves meiosis.
Asexual reproduction involves only one parent and no fusion of gametes.
In asexual reproduction there is no mixing of genetic information, leading to genetically identical offspring called clones.
Only mitosis is involved in asexual reproduction.
Meiosis leads to non-identical cells being formed while mitosis leads to identical cells being formed.
Common exam mistakes
Do not say only sexual reproduction passes genes to offspring; genes are passed on in both sexual and asexual reproduction.
Asexual reproduction has no fertilisation and no mixing of genetic information.
Sexual reproduction uses meiosis to form gametes; asexual reproduction uses mitosis.
The key advantage of sexual reproduction is genetic variation in the offspring.