Asexual reproduction

 In this method, a single individual (parent) is capable of producing offspring.

As a result, the offspring that are produced are not only identical to one another
but are also exact copies of their parent.

The term clone defines the morphologically and genetically similar individuals.

Asexual reproduction is common among single-celled organisms
and in plants and animals with relatively simple organisations.
The above figure shows that in Protists and Monerans, the organism or the parent cell divides into two to give rise to new individuals.
In these organisms cell division is itself a mode of reproduction.

Many single-celled organisms reproduce by binary fission, where a cell divides into two halves
and each rapidly grows into an adult (e.g., Amoeba, Paramecium).

In yeast, the division is unequal and small buds are produced that remain attached to the parent cell
which then gets separated and mature into new yeast organisms (cells).


Kingdom Fungi members and simple plants like algae reproduce through special asexual reproductive structures.
Zoospores, the most common structure are microscopic motile structures.
Apart from the mentioned above, asexual reproductive structures are conidia (Penicillium), buds (Hydra) and gemmules (sponge).