Asexual Reproduction in Multicellular Organisms > Fragmentation

When the body of a multicellular organism breaks into two or more fragments, and each fragment grows into a new individual, it is called fragmentation.

or

The mode of asexual reproduction in which the body of an organism breaks into fragments, each capable of developing into a complete new organism, is called fragmentation.

Example: Ulothrix, Spirogyra, etc

Multicellular organisms can break into fragments due to one or the other reasons, and each fragment grows into a new individual.

• Seen in multicellular organisms such as filamentous algae and fungi.
• It is a very common and efficient method of asexual reproduction in algae.
• Each fragment has the capability to grow independently into a new individual.

Spirogyra / Ulothrix:

• In filamentous algae like Ulothrix, Spirogyra, etc., the thallus (body of the plant) often breaks into small fragments.
• Each fragment has the capability to grow independently into a new thallus.
• This is a very common and efficient method of asexual reproduction in algae.

Spirogyra

Fungi:

• In fungi, a small fragment of the hypha (filamentous structure) gets detached from the parent mycelium.
• This detached fragment can develop into a new individual.

• When the body of a multicellular organism breaks into two or more fragments, each fragment grows into a new individual - a common, efficient method of asexual reproduction.
• In filamentous algae like Ulothrix and Spirogyra, the thallus breaks into small fragments, and each grows independently into a new thallus.
• In fungi, a small fragment of the hypha detaches from the parent mycelium and develops into a new individual.