Difference between Sexual and Asexual Reproduction, Definition, Comparison

Definition

Sexual reproduction in plants involves formation of male and female gametes in flowers, followed by their fusion during fertilization, resulting in seed formation and development of a new genetically unique plant individual.

Asexual reproduction in plants involves production of new plants from vegetative parts or spores without formation or fusion of gametes, resulting in offspring genetically identical to the parent plant.

Number of parents

Sexual reproduction generally involves two parents or two types of gametes, male and female, even if they are produced within the same bisexual flower of a single plant.

Asexual reproduction involves only one parent plant, and no second parent or complementary reproductive structure is required for producing new individuals.

Types in plants

Sexual reproduction in plants occurs through unisexual or bisexual flowers, depending on whether stamens and pistils are present separately or together within the same flower.

Asexual reproduction in plants occurs through vegetative propagation, budding, fragmentation, and spore formation, each using non reproductive plant parts for multiplication.

Cell division involved

Both meiosis and mitosis occur, where meiosis produces haploid gametes and mitosis supports growth of zygote into embryo and mature plant.

Only mitotic divisions occur, ensuring direct duplication of genetic material without any reduction or recombination.

Chromosome number

Chromosome number alternates between haploid gametes and diploid zygote, maintaining genetic balance across generations through fertilization.

Chromosome number remains unchanged and diploid, as offspring are produced directly from parent cells without meiosis.

Genetic variation

Offspring show genetic variation due to fusion of gametes and recombination, which increases adaptability to changing environmental conditions.

Offspring are genetically identical to the parent, known as clones, showing no variation unless influenced by environmental mutations.

Speed of reproduction

Sexual reproduction is relatively slow because it involves flowering, pollination, fertilization, seed development, and germination stages.

It is rapid and efficient, allowing plants to multiply quickly under favorable conditions without complex processes.

Occurrence in plants

Common in higher plants such as flowering plants where flowers, seeds, and fruits are well developed and functional.

Common in lower plants and also in many higher plants through vegetative methods like stem cuttings, tubers, and leaf buds.

Examples

Seen in plants like mustard, rose, petunia, wheat, and peas, where seed formation follows pollination and fertilization.

Seen in plants like Bryophyllum, potato, ginger, sweet potato, algae, fungi, mosses, and ferns through vegetative parts or spores.