fragmentation
Quick Summary
In biology, fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction where an organism separates into parts, and each part regenerates into a new, complete organism. This method is common in plants, where cuttings from leaves, stems, or roots can develop into new plants. For example, willows and poplars can reproduce from fallen branches that root and grow into trees.12
Fragmentation also occurs in simpler organisms like liverworts and mosses, where small pieces of their bodies can regenerate into new individuals. In some multicellular animals, like planarians, fragmentation allows each piece to regrow missing parts and become a new organism. This process does not involve the mingling of genetic traits, as it is not a modification of sexual reproduction.12
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