In sexual reproduction, two parents donate genes to their young, resulting in offspring with a mix of inherited genes.

These genes are donated through a process called fertilization. There are two mechanisms by which fertilization can take place.
The first is external (the eggs are fertilized outside of the body). The second is internal (the eggs are fertilized within the female reproductive tract).

Sexual reproduction needs two parents. Each parent produces sex cells, called gametes:
male gametes are called sperm female gametes are called eggs Each gamete contains half the number of chromosomes that a body cell has. At fertilisation, a male and female gamete fuse or join together. The new cell contains the full number of chromosomes. Half of its genes have come from the father, and half have come from the mother. The genetic material from both parents has combined to form a unique individual.

Asexual reproduction only needs one parent.

All the offspring are genetically identical to each other, and their parent. They are clones.

Binary fission In binary fission the parent organism is replaced by two daughter organisms, because it literally divides in two. Many single-celled organisms, both prokaryotes (the archaea and the bacteria), and eukaryotes (such as protists and unicellular fungi), reproduce asexually through binary fission; most of these are also capable of sexual reproduction. Some singlecelled organisms rely on one or more host organisms in order to reproduce

Budding Buding is a form of asexual reproduction in which a new organism grows on another one. The new organism remains attached as it grows, separating from the parent organism only when it is mature. Since the reproduction is asexual, the newly created organism is a clone and is genetically identical to the parent organism.

Vegetative reproduction (vegetative propagation, vegetative multiplication, vegetative cloning) Vegetative reproduction is a form of asexual reproduction in plants. It is a process by which new individuals arise without production of seeds or spores. It can occur naturally or be induced by horticulturists.

Sporogenesis Sporogenesis is the production of spores in biology. The term is also used to refer to the process of reproduction via spores. Reproductive spores are formed in many eukaryotic organisms, such as plants, algae and fungi, during their normal reproductive life cycle. Dormant spores are formed, for example by certain fungi and algae, primarily in response to unfavorable growing conditions. Most eukaryotic spores are haploid and form through cell division, though some types are diploid or dikaryons and form through cell fusion.

Fragmentation or Clonal Fragmentation Fragmentation is when an organism is split into fragments. Each of these fragments develop isms is a form of asexual reproduction into mature, fully grown individuals that are clones of the original organism. The splitting may or may not be intentional, if the splitting occurs without the prior preparation of the organism, both fragments must be able to regenerate the complete organism for it to function as reproduction.

Agamogenesis

Agamogenesis is any form of reproduction that does not involve a male gamete.