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SCIPAD - BIG IDEAS - BOOK 2
THE BASIS OF HEREDITY
Reproduction and Variation
The term ‘species’ is used by scientists to describe organisms of the same type. One of the prime
motives for all living things is to survive and reproduce, passing on the characteristics of their
species from one generation to the next. Reproduction can be defined as the creation of a new
individual or individuals from previously existing individuals.
There are two main methods by which organisms reproduce:
1. Define the terms:
(a) Reproduction: 

(b) Variation: 

2. Complete the table to show the key differences between asexual and sexual reproduction.
Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction
Number of parents
required
Relative time required to
produce offspring Fast / Slow Fast / Slow
Variation between parent
and offspring Yes / No Yes / No
Examples of organisms
that use this method
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction requires two parents. The offspring produced
by sexual reproduction are similar, but not identical, to the parents.
This variation is the main advantage of sexual reproduction. The
offspring are a combination of the characteristics of the parents.
This means a few of the offspring may be better suited to survive in
their habitat, meaning the species can become more successful
over time. Most animals reproduce sexually. The benefits of
producing offspring that show variation outweigh the costs of
finding a mate, breeding and producing the offspring.
Asexual Reproduction
Asexual reproduction needs only a female. The offspring are
identical to the parent and to each other. They are known as
clones. Asexual reproduction is more common in plants than in
animals, although there are some animals that can reproduce
this way. Potatoes and strawberries can both reproduce
asexually. The main advantage of asexual reproduction is that
it is a very efficient method of reproducing large numbers of the
species when conditions (i.e. lots of food and space, etc.) are
favourable. Also, no time or energy is wasted looking for a mate.
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