What is budding: the essence of the process, the meaning and examples

In nature, there are several ways of multiplying organisms, which ensures the continuity of generations and the existence of life on the planet. Each of them is conditioned by the peculiarities of structure, habitat and classification. In this article we will consider in more detail what budding is and for which organisms this method of reproduction is characteristic.

Methods of reproduction of organisms

There are two main ways of reproduction. Sexual occurs with the help of specialized cells - gametes. In this case, the chromosomal material of two organisms is connected or a recombination of genes occurs. As a result, the new organism acquires new signs. In asexual reproduction gametes do not participate. It is characteristic of representatives of all the kingdoms of living nature, except for viruses, which reproduce in a special way - self-assembly.

Asexual reproduction: budding and not only

This kind of reproduction of your own kind can also take place in several ways. For example, some plants and fungi form cells of asexual reproduction, which are called spores. In algae, such formations are mobile, since they have flagella. They are called zoospores. In higher plants, asexual reproduction occurs by the separation of multicellular parts - vegetatively. But what is budding and how it is carried out, it is necessary to consider separately for each kingdom of living nature.

Puckering in plants

The budding of plant organisms is not so common. More often new individuals arise vegetatively or sexually - in cones or flowers. What is budding in plants, can be considered on the example of a room medicinal plant Kalanchoe. At the edge of its leaf plate, small tubercles are formed, which eventually acquire all the features of an adult plant. Despite the miniature size, they are quite viable, since they already consist of a root and an escape. This means that young plants are able to independently and photosynthesize, and suck water from the substrate. Having reached a certain size, such kidneys enter the soil, where they germinate and grow into adult plants.

Pocification in animals

Reproduction by budding occurs in animals. Namely - coelenterates, of which the freshwater hydra is a representative . She leads an attached way of life. Periodically, a protuberance is formed on its body - a small tubercle. It grows, acquiring all the features of an adult organism. After this, the kidney splits off, and it goes on to independent existence. Somewhat differently, this process occurs in other representatives of coelenterates - coral polyps. Their kidneys also grow, become similar to adults, but here the process of cleavage does not occur. As a result, a bizarre body is formed. Their accumulations in the oceans form whole coral reefs.

The intestines are not the only animals that can reproduce by budding. For example, larvae of tapeworms, which are called Finns, first form a protrusion that turns into the head of the parasite. With its help, the worm is attached to the intestinal tract of the host. The next stage of budding is the formation of the cervix and numerous segments of the helminth.

Puckering of mushrooms

What is budding, can also be considered and the example of fungi. Each of us observed that if yeast is sprinkled with sugar and left in a warm place, then their amount after a while increases significantly. This is an example of the reproduction of mushrooms, the budding of which is used in cooking and bakery. During this process, a small protrusion develops on the yeast cell, which gradually increases in size. Then between the maternal and daughter cells there is a septum, which helps to narrow the channel between them. After this, the young cell is able to live independently. The budding process in yeast fungi is about two hours.

Bacterial budding

Traditionally, it is commonly believed that bacteria are characterized by only one primitive way of reproduction - division in two. However, there are separate species of these organisms that are capable of budding. These are purple bacteria, moving with the help of several flagella. But this is an exception to the general rule. So do the stalked bacteria, which, thus, dichotomically branch, forming new individuals.

The significance of this method of asexual reproduction in nature is large enough. During budding cells are divided by mitosis. This means that as a result, genetically identical individuals are formed, and hereditary information is transmitted from generation to generation in an unchanged form, ensuring the continuity of generations of representatives of virtually all groups of living organisms.