Sexual versus asexual reproduction

Sexual Versus Asexual Reproduction
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Sexual Versus Asexual Reproduction
In many living organisms, sexual reproduction is the only form of reproduction. In basic terms, nearly all organisms falling under eukaryotes reproduce sexually through fertilization and the meiosis process to produce offspring which have identical genes to their parents. For the sexual reproduction to take place, there should be both the male and female organisms. The male organisms mate with the female ones; in this case, the fertilization process is bound to happen after the mating process. Once the fertilization occurs, the fertilized cells undergo the process of meiosis. Under this process, it leads to the generation of new genetically unique cells identified as gametes. The produced gametes contain half the number of chromosomes as the mother cells. Sexual reproduction, therefore, is the creation of a new unique organism, through the fusion of the genetic material of two or more organisms. Additionally, through sexual reproduction, organisms can produce genetically-diverse progenies’ that are dissimilar from their parents. Thus, it enables them to have a better chance of survival in the ever-changing environment and the ecosystems (Tabata et al., 2016).
On the other hand, the asexual method presents a unique form of reproduction: that is, the organisms in this category do not require mating partners to produce offspring. Instead, they reproduce through asexual laying of eggs, fragmentation and asexual bidding.

Moreover, all the organisms which reproduce asexually are females. Therefore, every individual in the population is capable of reproducing. Additionally, in this form of reproduction, offspring develop from a single organism only, that is, they inherit the genetic composition of the single parent. Also, it is relatively important to indicate that the number of chromosomes in the offspring doesn’t change after the reproduction process. This type of reproduction is highly common in the single-celled organisms which include, Bacteria, Archaea and Fungi. Asexual reproduction in these organisms occurs through budding, fusion, vegetative propagation, parthenogenesis, apomixis and fragmentation. However, for this to happen certain conditions must be met in the environment surrounding these organisms. This include, optimum pH levels, adequate food supply, favorable climate and availability of a proper shelter (New World Encyclopedia, n.pag).
References
Tabata, J., Ichiki, R. T., Tanaka, H., & Kageyama, D. (2016). Sexual versus Asexual Reproduction: Distinct Outcomes in Relative Abundance of Parthenogenetic Mealybugs following Recent Colonization. Plos ONE, 11(6), 1-12. 
Asexual reproduction. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2018, from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Asexual_reproduction