Reproductive Mechanisms

Organisms reproduce in two different ways,

1. Asexually and
2. Sexually

In asexual reproduction there is only one parent and there are no special reproductive organs or cells. Each organism is capable of producing genetically identical copies of itself as soon as it becomes an adult. Sexual reproduction involves two parents, each of which contributes special sex cells, or gametes. These gametes fuse to form a zygote. Since the zygote receives genetic material, the offspring bear the characteristics of the species, but also bear traits that make them different from their parents. In the following sections you shall study about these reproductive mechanisms.