ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION:
It is a mode of reproduction or multiplication in which new individuals develop from a single parent.
Features of asexual reproduction: (i) As there is the involvement of only one parent, so it is uniparental. (ii) It can occur with or without gamete formation, but gametic fusion is absent. (iii) The individuals produced are exact copies of each other and their parents because the new organisms produced inherit all of its chromosomes from one parent. Moreover, it involves only the mitotic division. Such a group of morphologically and genetically similar individuals are called a clone. There will be no genetic recombination and variation in asexual reproduction as it does not include the process of meiosis.
(iv) It can occur through unspecialised or specialised parts of the parent. (v) It is widespread among different groups of organisms. It is a common method of reproduction in organisms that have a relatively simple organization like single-celled organisms belonging to group Monera, Protista as well as plants and animals with relatively simple organizations like algae, fungi, sponges.
Though it is a common mode of reproduction in lower organisms, it should be very much clear that higher plants also exhibit this type of reproduction where it is known as vegetative reproduction.
A simple and quick method of reproduction.