13.1-2CC
Question
How does an asexually reproducing eukaryotic organism produce offspring that are genetically identical to each other and to their parents?
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedCertain eukaryotic organisms such as hydra and certain trees reproduce through mitosis. Mitosis is the process that produces daughter cells that are identical to each other and their parents. Thus, asexually reproducing eukaryotic organisms have offspring that are identical.
The type of reproduction in which a single parent is involved is called asexual reproduction. This type of reproduction does not include the fusion of gametes as a single parent is involved.
The parents transmit all their genes to the offspring. Thus, asexual reproduction does not involve the mixing of genetic traits, and, as a result, the offspring produced are genetically identical to their parents.
Mitosis is a process of nuclear division in which replicated DNA molecules of each chromosome are partitioned into two nuclei. The process of mitosis is a continuous process that is divided into different stages.
In this process, the nucleus divides, followed by the division of the cytoplasm that results in daughter cells' formation. Thus, mitosis is also known as equation division, as daughter cells produced inherit equal genetic material and, hence, are identical.
Mitosis maintains the chromosome number and generates new cells for the growth and maintenance of an organism.
Eukaryotic organisms such as hydra reproduce through budding. Hydra develops buds containing mitotically dividing cells that grow to form a hydra. Similarly, Sequoia trees of redwood forests produce through asexual reproduction.
As these eukaryotic organisms divide through mitosis and due to the absence of mutation in such organisms, the offspring produced are genetically identical to each other and their parent cells.