The key difference between unisexual and bisexual organisms is that male and female reproductive systems are separated in unisexual organisms while both the male and female reproductive systems are present in the same individual of bisexual organisms.`
Organisms are grouped into two categories; unisexual or bisexual based on the reproductive organs present within the body. When male and female reproductive parts are present within the same individual, they are known as bisexual organisms. When male and female reproductive parts are present in separate individuals, they are known as unisexual organisms.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Unisexual Organisms
3. What are Bisexual Organisms
4. Similarities Between Unisexual and Bisexual Organisms
5. Side by Side Comparison – Unisexual vs Bisexual Organisms in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What are Unisexual Organisms?
Unisexual organisms are the organisms having only one type of reproductive system in the individual organism. Male and female reproductive systems are present in different individuals in unisexual organisms. They can produce male or female gametes, but never both together in one organism.
Figure 01: Unisexual Organisms
And also only one type of gonad (male gonad or female gonad) is present in one individual. Human beings, birds, reptiles, fish are common examples for unisexual organisms. Unisexual organisms have separate sexes, males or females. Some plants are unisexual. Hence, they produce unisexual flowers that have either pistils or stamens.
What are Bisexual Organisms?
Bisexual organisms are the organisms having both male and female reproductive systems in the same individual. They are capable of producing both male and female gametes together since they possess both male and female gonads.
Figure 02: Bisexual Flower
Most of the angiosperms produce bisexual flowers. Bisexual flowers have stamens as well as pistils. Examples of bisexual organisms are leeches, starfish, tapeworms, earthworm, etc.
What are the Similarities Between Unisexual and Bisexual Organisms?
- Unisexual and bisexual organisms produce sex cells.
- Both unisexual and bisexual organisms involve in sexual reproduction.
What is the Difference Between Unisexual and Bisexual Organisms?
Unisexual vs Bisexual Organisms |
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| Unisexual organisms are the living organisms having male and female reproductive systems in separate individuals. | Bisexual organisms are the living organisms having both male and female reproductive systems are present in the same individual. |
| Production of Male and Female Gametes | |
| Unisexual organisms can produce male or female gametes, but not both. | Bisexual organisms can produce both male and female gametes. |
| Male and Female Gonads | |
| Male and female gonads are present in separate individuals in unisexual organisms. | Male and female gonads are present in the same individual in unisexual organisms. |
| Examples | |
| Examples for unisexual organisms are human beings, fish, reptiles, birds, etc. | Examples of bisexual organisms are starfish, earthworm, tapeworm, leech, etc. |
Summary – Unisexual vs Bisexual Organisms
Unisexual and bisexual organisms are differentiated based on the reproductive systems they posses. Unisexual organisms have separate sexes male or female. Male and female reproductive systems are present in different individuals hence unisexual organisms produce male or female gametes but never both. Bisexual organisms have both male and female reproductive systems within the same individual. Hence, they are capable of producing both types of gametes. Some flowers are unisexual, and they possess only pistils or stamens. Some flowers are bisexual, and they possess both stamens and pistils together. This is the difference between unisexual and bisexual organisms.
Reference:
1.Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Unisexuality.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 July 1998. Available here
2.UNISEXUAL AND BISEXUAL ORGANISMS (HERMAPHRODITES). Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’454886′(Public Domain) via Available here
2.’Hibiscus flower TZ’By Muhammad Mahdi Karim – Karya sorangan, Available here via Available here