Gemination: What is and examples

Gemation is an asexual type of reproduction that consists in the formation of a new individual from a segment of another pre -existing individual.

This segment is a lump or bump called “yolk” that appears in the parent’s body and grows progressively. After reaching a certain size (maturity), it is considered a new completely formed individual. Depending on the species, this new individual can be linked to his parent to form a colony, or it can be detached to become a totally independent organism.

If you want to know more about asexual reproduction: what is, types and examples, take a look at this other post that we recommend you.

Types of Gemination

There are three types of geming: exogenous gemination, endodiotogeny and endopolyzania. Next, we will detail them:

• External gemation: Also known as exogenous gemination, it is one in which the yolk grows outside the organism. It is easily distinguishable and includes the external growth of one or multiple yolks.
• Endodiogenia: It is a type of internal gemination in which two yolks grow simultaneously inside the plasma membrane of the parent cell. It is very common among unicellular beings.
• Endopolytenia: It is a type of internal gemination in which more than two yolks grow simultaneously inside the plasma membrane of the parent cell. It is very common among unicellular beings.

Some of the characteristics of geming are:

• The geming entails the unequal division of the parent individual.
• Gemination entails the division of the cell core by mitosis. Discover the difference between mitosis and meiosis.
• Gemation in animals only occurs in Invertebrate animals. Here you can find more information about invertebrate animals: examples and characteristics.
• Like the other types of asexual reproduction, gemation It only requires a parent To give rise to a new life.
• As in the other types of asexual reproduction, the organism originated by gemination is exactly equal to its parent. This means the parent and the offspring have exactly the same genetic material (except for a mutation to occur).
• As there is no genetic variability between parents and descendency, the species that are reproduced exclusively by geming are very susceptible to diseases. In the long term, this could increase the probabilities of extinction.
• Compared to other types of reproduction such as sexual reproduction with internal fertilization, gemination is a fast and simple process.
• Although they are very similar, gemation and fragmentation are different reproductive processes. In fragmentation the progenitor individual is divided in one or more parts to generate its offspring. This entails the amputation of its limbs or another part of its body to give life to a new independent organism. Fragmentation is very common in earth worms and sea stars.
• If the conditions are favorable, the yolk produced by a unicellular organism can produce its own yolk simultaneously.

Gemation in plants and animals

Let’s see what plants and what animals are the gemation:

• Gemination in unicellular organisms It occurs in fungilike the yeast of beer (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Protozoa (Toxoplasma gondii) and bacteria Like those of genres Streptococcus, Hyphomicrobium, Rickettsia and Ancalomicrobium. Plants that produce tubers, stolons, rhizomes and bulbs are also reproduced by geming. Some examples are potatoes, tulips, ginger, strawberries and onions.
• Gemation in animals is very rare and occurs exclusively in invertebrates such as sponges, corals, anemones, hydras and ectoprocts.

Stay reading to find out some examples of organisms that are reproduced by geming.

Sea sponges are simple and primitive animals belonging to the edge Porifera They are aquatic invertebrates of totipotent cells that can reproduce both sexually and asexually. During asexual reproduction they produce yolks or gums that end up detaching and generating new individuals.

• The species of sponges living in fresh water (belonging to the family Spongillidae) produce more complex gumulas and organized.
• Salt water sponges usually produce Simpler Gumulas called Soritos.

If you want to know more about the sea sponge: what is and characteristics, do not hesitate to visit this ecology article see that we recommend you.

Tulipanes are a genus of plants belonging to the family of LILIACEAS. They reproduce asexually by the vegetative multiplication of the gemination type; A process in which the parent tulip produces underground fleshy stems called bulbs.

The bulbs of the offspring grow from Main bulb (that of the parent) and develop until they reach the necessary maturity to grow new individuals.

Here is another post where we explain how to keep the bulbs of tulips.

The brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) it’s a unicellular fungus very important at the commercial level. It is used in the elaboration of wine, beer, kumis, bread and food supplements and can reproduce both sexually and asexually.

• Asexual reproduction: It occurs by geming. The process begins with the bulge of the plasma membrane of the parent individual. Then its nucleus is divided and the child nucleus goes to bulge. Finally, the yolk separates and becomes an independent individual. The daughter cell is always smaller than its parent.
• Sexual reproduction: It is important because it includes genetic variation in the population, so it decreases the risk of extinction. It is not so common that this type of reproduction occurs.

We recommend this other ecology article about the classification of fungi so you can know more about the subject.

The hydras are Aquatic animals belonging to the edge of the Cnidarians They are invertebrates typical of the fresh waters that measure just a few millimeters and have the ability to regenerate parts of your body. They are hermaphrodites and reproduce both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction is carried out by exogenous gemination when food and environmental conditions are favorable.

If you want to know more about hermaphrodite animals: reproduction and types, do not hesitate to read this other post.

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