The key difference between multiple fission and fragmentation is that multiple fission is a type of fission in which the parent nucleus divides several times mitotically, producing several new daughter cells, while fragmentation is a type of asexual reproduction in which the parent organism just breaks into several fragments which are capable of growing into new individuals.
There are two types of reproduction as asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction occurs from a single parent. It does not involve male or female gametes. Moreover, there are different types of asexual reproduction methods. Some of these include fission (binary fission and multiple fission), fragmentation, regeneration, budding, spore formation. However, this article mainly focuses on the difference between multiple fission and fragmentation.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Multiple Fission
3. What is Fragmentation
4. Similarities Between Multiple Fission and Fragmentation
5. Side by Side Comparison – Multiple Fission vs Fragmentation in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Multiple Fission?
Multiple fission is one of the two types of fission shown by organisms such as some protozoans (Plasmodium), Amoeba and Monocystis. It is an asexual reproduction method. Multiple fission occurs under unfavourable conditions.
Figure 01: Plasmodium
In this reproduction method, the nucleus of the organism divides several times mitotically, producing several nuclei. Then, small amounts of cytoplasm enclose these nuclei, forming daughter cells. Finally, the daughter cells come out from the parent cell while lysing the cell membrane. In the end, multiple fission produces many individuals from a single parent cell.
What is Fragmentation?
Fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction in which the parent organism just breaks into several pieces, and each piece grows into a completely new individual or a clone of the parent. Moreover, this mode of reproduction is common in filamentous fungi, planaria, starfish and algae.
Figure 02: Spirogyra
Fragmentation may or may not be intentional. It can also occur due to natural damage.
What are the Similarities Between Multiple Fission and Fragmentation?
- Multiple fission and fragmentation are two asexual reproduction methods that produce genetically identical offspring.
- Moreover, both occur from a single parent.
- Also, both occur via the splitting of the parent organism.
What is the Difference Between Multiple Fission and Fragmentation?
Multiple fission is a type of fission, which is an asexual reproduction method. During multiple fission, parent cell nucleus divides through mitosis many times and produces daughter nuclei, which are able to undergo cytokinesis and become new cells. On the other hand, fragmentation is an asexual reproduction method occurring in multicellular organisms. During fragmentation, parent organism just breaks into several fragments that can develop into new individuals. Therefore, this is the key difference between multiple fission and fragmentation. Unicellular organisms such as Plasmodium, amoeba, show multiple fission while planaria, plants, spirogyra, filamentous fungi show fragmentation.
Below info-graphic summarizes the difference between multiple fission and fragmentation.
Summary – Multiple Fission vs Fragmentation
Multiple fission and fragmentation are two methods of asexual reproduction. Multiple fission is the process of dividing the parent cell nucleus via mitosis in order to produce daughter nuclei and then daughter cells. In contrast, fragmentation is the process of just breaking the parent organism into several fragments that are capable of developing into complete new organisms. Multiple fission occurs mainly in unicellular organisms such as Plasmodium, amoeba, etc. while fragmentation occurs in multicellular organisms such as Spirogyra, planaria, starfish, etc. So, this is the key difference between multiple fission and fragmentation.
Reference:
1. “Fission (Biology).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 May 2019, Available here.
2. “Fragmentation (Reproduction).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Apr. 2019, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Schizont of P. vivax in a thin blood smear” By n.a – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “The freshwater alga Spirogyra” By Wiedehopf20 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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