The two side by side
The two ways of reproducing differ at every point, and the differences all follow from the first line of the table.
| Asexual reproduction | Sexual reproduction |
|---|---|
| A single parent organism contributes. | Two organisms contribute, as mother and father. |
| Daughter organisms are largely identical to the parent. | Offspring carry a mixture of the mother's and father's characteristics. |
| No gametes are produced. | Gametes are produced. |
| Meiosis does not occur. | Meiosis occurs. |
| No new species arise. | New species bearing characteristics suited to the environment may arise. |
| A large number of offspring can be produced in a short time. | The number of offspring increases only very slowly. |
| Seen in plants and in evolutionarily less advanced animals. | Seen in plants and in evolutionarily advanced animals. |
Table 14.1 — the differences between asexual and sexual reproduction.
Speed against variety
The table is really one trade-off written seven ways. Asexual reproduction is fast and safe: many offspring, quickly, all as well suited as the parent was. Sexual reproduction is slow and varied: few offspring, slowly, but no two the same, so some may be suited to conditions the parent could not survive.