In nature, there are several ways of reproduction of organisms, which ensures the continuity of generations and the existence of life on the planet. Each of them is due to the peculiarities of the structure, habitat and classification. In our article, we will examine in more detail what budding is and for which organisms this method of reproduction is characteristic.
Methods of reproduction of organisms
There are two main methods of reproduction. Sexual occurs with the help of specialized cells - gametes. In this case, the chromosomal material of two organisms combines or gene recombination occurs. As a result, the new organism acquires new features. Gametes are not involved in asexual reproduction. It is characteristic of representatives of all the kingdoms of wildlife, except viruses, which reproduce in a special way - self-assembly.
Asexual reproduction: budding and more
This kind of reproduction of their own kind can also occur in several ways. For example, some plants and fungi form asexual reproduction cells called spores. In algae, such formations are mobile, because they have flagella. They are called zoospores. In higher plants, asexual reproduction occurs through the separation of multicellular parts - vegetatively. But what is budding and how it is carried out, it is necessary to consider separately for each kingdom of wildlife.
Budding in plants
Budding in plant organisms is not so common. Most often, new individuals arise vegetatively or sexually - in cones or flowers. What is budding in plants, you can consider the example of an indoor medicinal plant Kalanchoe. Small tubercles form along the edge of its leaf blade, which eventually acquire all the features of an adult plant. Despite their miniature size, they are quite viable, since they already consist of a root and shoot. This means that young plants are able to independently and photosynthesize, and absorb water from the substrate. Having reached certain sizes, such buds fall into the soil, where they germinate and turn into adult plants.
Budding in animals
Reproduction by budding occurs in animals. Namely, in the intestinal cavity, the representative of which is freshwater hydra. She leads an attached lifestyle. Periodically, a protrusion is formed on her body - a small tubercle. It grows, acquiring all the features of an adult body. After this, the cleavage of the kidney occurs, and it passes to independent existence. In a slightly different way, this process occurs in other representatives of the intestinal - coral polyps. Their kidneys also grow, become similar to adults, but the process of cleavage does not occur. As a result, an organism of a bizarre form is formed. Their clusters in the oceans form entire coral reefs.
Intestinal are not the only animals that can multiply by budding. For example, tapeworm larvae, which are called Finns, first form a protrusion, which turns into the head of the parasite. With its help, the worm attaches to the duct of the intestines of the host. The next stage of budding is the formation of the neck and numerous segments of the helminth.
Mushroom Budding
What is budding, you can also consider the example of mushrooms. Each of us observed that if you sprinkle yeast with sugar and leave it in a warm place, then their number will increase significantly after a while. This is an example of the propagation of mushrooms, the budding of which is used in cooking and baking. During this process, a slight protrusion forms on the yeast cell, which gradually increases in size. Then, between the mother and daughter cells, a partition appears, which contributes to the narrowing of the channel between them. After this, the young cell is able to live independently. The process of budding in yeast mushrooms is about two hours.
Bacteria budding
It is traditionally considered that only one primitive method of reproduction is characteristic of bacteria - division into two. However, there are certain types of these organisms that are capable of budding. These are purple bacteria that travel with a few flagella. But this is an exception to the general rule. Stem bacteria are also budged, which thus branch dichotomously, forming new individuals.
The value of this method of asexual reproduction in nature is quite large. During budding, cells divide by mitosis. This means that as a result genetically identical individuals are formed, and hereditary information is transmitted from generation to generation in an unchanged form, ensuring continuity of generations of representatives of almost all groups of living organisms.