Questions: When reproduction occurs in a one-celled organism, the organism replicates its DNA and splits into two genetically identical cells.
sexual
asexual
meiotic
alternating
Transcript text: Multiple Choice Question
When $\qquad$ reproduction occurs in a one-celled organism, the organism replicates its DNA and splits into two genetically identical cells.
sexual
asexual
meiotic
alternating
Solution
The answer is the second one: asexual.
Explanation for each option:
Sexual: This type of reproduction involves the combination of genetic material from two different cells, typically from two different organisms, resulting in offspring with genetic variation. Since the question describes a one-celled organism replicating its DNA and splitting into two genetically identical cells, this does not involve sexual reproduction.
Asexual: Asexual reproduction is a process by which an organism creates a genetically identical copy of itself without the involvement of another organism. In one-celled organisms, this often occurs through binary fission, where the organism replicates its DNA and divides into two identical cells. This matches the description given in the question.
Meiotic: Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four genetically diverse gametes. It is not a form of reproduction for one-celled organisms that results in two genetically identical cells.
Alternating: This term does not specifically describe a type of reproduction. It might refer to alternating generations, which is a life cycle that alternates between sexual and asexual phases, but it does not apply to the context of a one-celled organism splitting into two identical cells.
In summary, the correct answer is asexual reproduction, as it accurately describes the process of a one-celled organism replicating its DNA and dividing into two genetically identical cells.