Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction: How Traits Are Passed On — Reading Comprehension

All living things reproduce. This means they create new organisms, or offspring. There are two main types of reproduction: asexual and sexual. Both pass genetic information from parent to offspring, but they do it in very different ways.

In asexual reproduction, one parent produces offspring without the involvement of another. The offspring are genetically identical to the parent because they get all of their DNA from one source. This is common in many single-celled organisms like bacteria, and even in some plants and animals. A common example is the starfish, which can regrow a whole new individual from a single arm. Asexual reproduction is fast and efficient but does not create variety in the offspring.

Sexual reproduction, on the other hand, involves two parents. Each parent contributes half of the genetic material to form a new organism. This results in offspring that are similar to their parents, but not exactly the same. Sexual reproduction increases genetic variation, which helps species adapt to changing environments. For example, dogs of the same litter can look and behave differently because of the mix of genes they receive.

Understanding the differences between asexual and sexual reproduction helps explain how traits are passed on and why organisms in the same species can look and behave differently.

Fun Fact: Strawberries can reproduce both sexually and asexually—through seeds or by sending out runners that grow into new plants!

What do all living things do to continue their species?

In asexual reproduction, how many parents are involved?

Why are asexual offspring identical to the parent?

Which organism can reproduce asexually?

What is a key result of sexual reproduction?

Why can puppies in the same litter look different?

What is the main idea of the passage?

If a plant reproduces asexually, what can you expect?