Two Ways to Make Offspring
Aligned to MS-LS3-2 — Next Generation Science Standards.
What this lesson teaches
In asexual reproduction, one parent passes on an exact copy of its genes, so the offspring are genetically identical. In sexual reproduction, two parents each contribute genes, mixing them so the offspring vary and differ from both parents.
Worked examples
Example 1
A strawberry plant sends out runners that grow into clones identical to itself, while its seeds — made from two parents — grow into plants with slightly different traits, showing why the same plant can produce both identical and varied offspring.
Example 2
Asexual reproduction is fast and needs no partner, but a population of clones can all be wiped out by one disease they share no defense against.
Example 3
Sexual reproduction is expensive — it needs two parents and half your genes are not passed on — and it survives because variation is worth that much.
Practice questions
- Find two ways a plant nearby reproduces and note which would make identical copies.
- Draw a model showing genes from one parent versus genes mixed from two parents.
- Explain, using your model, why sexually produced siblings look different but a cutting looks identical to its parent.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Dos maneras de tener descendencia
En la reproducción asexual, un solo progenitor transmite una copia exacta de sus genes, por lo que la descendencia es genéticamente idéntica. En la reproducción sexual, dos progenitores aportan cada uno sus genes, mezclándolos de modo que la descendencia varía y difiere de ambos padres.
Ejemplo 1: Una planta de fresa saca estolones que crecen como clones idénticos a ella, mientras que sus semillas — hechas de dos progenitores — crecen como plantas con rasgos algo distintos, mostrando por qué una misma planta puede producir descendencia idéntica y variada.
Ejemplo 2: La reproducción asexual es rápida y no necesita pareja, pero una población de clones puede ser eliminada por una sola enfermedad contra la que ninguno tiene defensa.
Ejemplo 3: La reproducción sexual es cara — necesita dos progenitores y la mitad de tus genes no se transmiten — y sobrevive porque la variación vale eso.
More Heredity: Inheritance & Variation of Traits lessons
Teach this lesson today
An AI tutor that guides with questions instead of just giving answers — all K–12 core subjects, every child in the family.
Start free — no card required