Asexual reproduction in plants

It is possible for plants to reproduce asexually (i.e. without flowers or fertilisation). Two of the most important methods of asexual reproduction are:

• runners - e.g. strawberry, spider plant
• tubers - e.g. potatoes, dahlias

Advantages for the plant of asexual reproduction

• only one parent plant is required
• young plants are identical to the parent, so that good features will always be passed on

Advantages for the plant of sexual reproduction.

• characteristics are inherited from two parents - this produces variation in the offspring;
• this gives a good chance of at least a few surviving diseases, changes of climate, etc.

Humans are able to propagate plants by artificial propagation. Taking cuttings and grafting are the methods of artificial propagation which you need to know. They are a quick way of propagating large numbers of identical plants.

Plants which are produced in these ways are genetically identical to each other and to the parent; a group like this is called a clone. A clone is a group of cells or organisms which are genetically identical to each other.

Special Examiner's Note:

The proper definition of a clone is a GROUP of identical organisms. Newspapers and TV often refer to one animal (such as Dolly the sheep) which is identical to its parent as "a clone" - this is WRONG. You need to make it clear that a clone includes several organisms or else no marks.