How do organisms make copies of themselves?

REPRODUCTION!
If organisms did not reproduce, life on earth would cease to exist. If genes didnt mix or if mutated genes didnt get passed on from parents to offspring, species would never evolve. Reproduction is important to our topic of evolution for this reason!

Basically, there are 2 ways

Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction
Organism divides to produce a genetically identical copy (clone) of itself
Key Points: Offspring is identical to parent NO genetic diversity in the species
paramecium

Genetic material (DNA) is copied and split (MITOSIS) Examples: bacteria, amoeba, algae, hydra

Single-celled algae

amoeba

hydra (budding)

Types of Asexual Reproduction:

Binary fission Budding Fragmentation

Binary Fission
(bacterias version of Mitosis)

Means splitting in 2 occurs in one-celled organisms such as bacteria and amoebas. The cell copies its DNA, then splits itself in half.The

Budding
Part of the parent organism pinches off & makes a new organism Seen in Marine Animals such as sponges, corals, some plants yeast, hydra

Yeast budding

Hydra budding to make a clone

Tiny 'buds' grow out from the hydra's side, develop mouth tentacles, and finally nip off at the base to form a separate individual.

Fragmentation
Body of the parent breaks into separate and distinct pieces, each which can produce an offspring.

Fragmentation in Plants
(called Vegetative Propagation)

New plants develop from meristematic cells in the stem, or roots, of the parent plant.

Strawberry plants making asexual clones

Spider plant making asexual clones

Regeneration
NOT (technically) reproduction but REALLY COOL! This refers to the ability of some animals to re-grow severed parts.

Sexual Reproduction
The recombining of DNA from two parents to produce offspring requires sex cells created from Meiosis!
Key Points: Two parents produce genetically unique offspring Sperm and egg combine DNA
Examples: humans, flowers, fish, frogs, birds, snakes

frogs

sperm fertilizing egg

hoverflies mating

Sexual reproduction gives two things to a species: Genetic Variation and Diversity

 Genetic information (DNA) from 2 parents, contained in the sperm and egg, combines to create a unique individual.

Sexual Reproduction in Animals

Sexual Reproduction in Plants

Wind, insects, and birds carry pollen from the male part of plants (stamen) to the female part (pistil). Pollen (plant sperm) fertilizes the ovule (plant egg), which produces a seed (baby plant).

Relating Reproduction to Evolution

Advantages / Disadvantages of Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction Advantages
Its fast!

Disadvantages

No genetic variation, so entire species could die out Produces many offspring from disease or disaster

Theres always exceptions to the rule

Drug Resistance in Bacteria

A beneficial mutation causes enough variation in bacteria this evolves into a new strain.

Advantages / Disadvantages of Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction Advantages
Its fast!

Disadvantages

No genetic variation, so entire species could die out Produces many offspring from disease or disaster

Sexual Reproduction Advantages Disadvantages

Genetic variation ensures the survival of some individuals in a species Complex organisms with lots of diversity

Its slower
Produces fewer offspring