What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

In asexual reproduction, one organism essentially clones itself. The genetic material in the offspring is identical to the genetic material of the parent, and only one parent is required. The best example of this is the reproduction of single-cellular organisms or 'shapeless' organisms such as amoeba - the cell splits in two. Each new cell is identical.

In sexual reproduction, two parents are required. Half of the genetic material required to produce the offspring comes from one parent, and half from the other.
In sexual reproduction between hermaphrodites (animals such as slugs and snails that posess both male and female sexual organs) the two exchange sperm. Each fertilises the other.
In 'normal' sexual reproduction, the male fertilises the female by placing sperm inside her. In the vast majority of cases, especially amongst 'complex' animals like birds and mammals, this happens through mating, but some simpler animals do not mate. For example, coral release sperm and eggs into the water and rely on the water currents to mix them to form offspring.

In animals that practice sexual reproduction, the male's sex cell, the spermatozoon or sperm, contains half of the genetic material necesary to produce an offspring. The female sex cell, ovum or egg, contains the other half. One sperm joins with one egg to create a gamete - a new, single cell with a unique genetic code, a mixture of its parents. The gamete divides and becomes an embryo which develops into an offspring. How this happens will now depend on the species.

First answer by LauraFrog. Last edit by LauraFrog. Contributor trust: 222 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 58 [recommend question]