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Asexual reproduction
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<p>Asexual reproduction is a type of <a href="/facts/Reproduction/nNu0F5Dy">reproduction</a> that does not involve the fusion of <a href="/facts/Gamete/j8e8fls6">gametes</a> or change in the number of <a href="/facts/Chromosomes/FRGf11FC">chromosomes</a>. The offspring that arise by asexual reproduction from either unicellular or <a href="/facts/Multicellular_organism/rk8QBF7o">multicellular organisms</a> inherit the full set of genes of their single parent and thus the newly created individual is genetically and physically similar to the parent or an exact clone of the parent. Asexual reproduction is the primary form of reproduction for <a href="/facts/Single-celled_organism/9PQsRuHU">single-celled organisms</a> such as <a href="/facts/Archaea/Adxh0aHw">archaea</a> and <a href="/facts/Eubacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a>. Many <a href="/facts/Eukaryote/SkwyPLMA">eukaryotic</a> organisms including <a href="/facts/Plant/X5BMDMvS">plants</a>, <a href="/facts/Animal/4b8J33nd">animals</a>, and <a href="/facts/Fungus/BHo5DP59">fungi</a> can also reproduce asexually. In <a href="/facts/Vertebrate/tT54FSTT">vertebrates</a>, the most common form of asexual reproduction is <a href="/facts/Parthenogenesis/gHzfaYpp">parthenogenesis</a>, which is typically used as an alternative to sexual reproduction in times when reproductive opportunities are limited. Some <a href="/facts/Monitor_lizard/QThU3SvH">monitor lizards</a>, including <a href="/facts/Komodo_dragon/GWInqcUn">Komodo dragons</a>, can reproduce asexually. </p><p>While all <a href="/facts/Prokaryote/oYyvaDDH">prokaryotes</a> reproduce without the formation and fusion of gametes, mechanisms for <a href="/facts/Lateral_gene_transfer/FPyUIsf2">lateral gene transfer</a> such as <a href="/facts/Bacterial_conjugation/WfeyKYC4">conjugation</a>, <a href="/facts/Transformation_(genetics)/n82cCRCu">transformation</a> and <a href="/facts/Transduction_(genetics)/nk0833JV">transduction</a> can be likened to <a href="/facts/Sexual_reproduction/hmsXy53s">sexual reproduction</a> in the sense of <a href="/facts/Genetic_recombination/uocNH0m7">genetic recombination</a> in <a href="/facts/Meiosis/Pj5Q6nGN">meiosis</a>. </p>