16.1

Asexual reproduction

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)  · Unit 16: Reproduction  · 10 flashcards

Asexual reproduction is topic 16.1 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 16 — Reproduction , alongside Sexual reproduction, Sexual reproduction in plants and Sexual reproduction in humans.  In one line: Asexual reproduction is a process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from a single parent.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical).

The deck below contains 10 flashcards — 2 definitions, 2 key concepts, 4 application cards and 2 identification cards — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the 2 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

Asexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction is a process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from a single parent.

Example: Strawberry plants reproduce asexually via runners.

What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says

Official 2026-2028 spec

These are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.

  1. Describe Describe asexual reproduction as a process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from one parent
  2. Identify Identify examples of asexual reproduction in diagrams, images and information provided
  3. Discuss Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction: (a) to a population of a species in the wild (b) to crop production Supplement
Definition Flip

Define asexual reproduction.

Answer Flip

Asexual reproduction is a process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from a single parent.

Example: Strawberry plants reproduce asexually via runners.
Key Concept Flip

What is the genetic relationship between offspring produced through asexual reproduction and their parent?

Answer Flip

The offspring are genetically identical to the parent. This is because asexual reproduction involves mitosis only, where the chromosome number is conserved.

Example: Bacteria dividing by binary fission produce clones.
Key Concept Flip

Name three methods of asexual reproduction in plants.

Answer Flip

Examples include: runners (

Example: strawberries), tubers (. potatoes), and bulbs (. onions). These all involve vegetative propagation from a part of the parent plant.
Key Concept Flip

Describe an advantage of asexual reproduction in the wild, for a population of a species.

Answer Flip

Rapid population growth in favorable conditions is a key advantage. If the environment is stable and suited to the species, all offspring are well-suited, leading to quick colonization.

Example: Bacteria multiply very quickly when the conditions are optimal.
Key Concept Flip

Describe a disadvantage of asexual reproduction in the wild, for a population of a species.

Answer Flip

Lack of genetic variation is a major disadvantage. If environmental conditions change or a new disease arises, the entire population may be vulnerable.

Example: If a fungus attacks a field of cloned banana plants, the entire crop could be wiped out.
Key Concept Flip

What is a potential advantage of using asexual reproduction in crop production?

Answer Flip

Uniformity of the crop is a major advantage for commercial purposes. Asexual reproduction ensures all plants have the same desired traits (size, yield, resistance).

Example: Farmers can reproduce potato plants asexually via tubers, ensuring a consistent size and starch content.
Key Concept Flip

What is a potential disadvantage of using asexual reproduction in crop production?

Answer Flip

The entire crop can be susceptible to a single disease. With no genetic variation, if a pathogen evolves to overcome the plant's defenses, the whole crop could be lost.

Example: A wheat crop bred for high yield but asexually propagated would be vulnerable to a new strain of rust fungus.
Key Concept Flip

Identify binary fission as a method of asexual reproduction.

Answer Flip

Binary fission is a type of asexual reproduction in which a cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Example: Bacteria reproduce by binary fission.
Key Concept Flip

Explain why offspring produced asexually are clones.

Answer Flip

Asexual reproduction involves mitosis only, preserving the parent cell's genetic makeup exactly. Therefore, each offspring receives an identical copy of the parent's DNA.

Example: All the daughter cells produced during mitosis of a bacterial cell are genetically identical clones.
Definition Flip

What is vegetative propagation?

Answer Flip

Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction in plants where new individuals arise from parts of the parent plant (e.g., stems, roots, leaves).

Example: A new plant growing from a stem cutting.

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15.1 Drugs 16.2 Sexual reproduction

Key Questions: Asexual reproduction

Define asexual reproduction.

Asexual reproduction is a process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from a single parent.

Example: Strawberry plants reproduce asexually via runners.
What is vegetative propagation?

Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction in plants where new individuals arise from parts of the parent plant (e.g., stems, roots, leaves).

Example: A new plant growing from a stem cutting.

More topics in Unit 16 — Reproduction

Asexual reproduction sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

16.2 Sexual reproduction

10 flashcards
16.3 Sexual reproduction in plants

12 flashcards
16.4 Sexual reproduction in humans

12 flashcards
16.5 Sex hormones in humans

10 flashcards
16.6 Sexually transmitted infections

9 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

asexual reproduction clone identical mitosis binary fission budding runner tuber bulb vegetative propagation

Key terms covered in this Asexual reproduction deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

Asexual reproduction
Vegetative propagation

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How to study this Asexual reproduction deck

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