What is the Difference Between Budding and Fragmentation

The main difference between budding and fragmentation is that budding is the development of an outgrowth into a new individual, whereas fragmentation is the detachment of pieces from the parent organism to grow as a new individual. Furthermore, budding occurs in yeast, amoeba, sea anemone, etc. while fragmentation occurs in planaria, fungi, jellyfish, lichens, starfish, etc.  

Budding and fragmentation are two types of asexual reproduction methods that occur in lower organisms. Furthermore, daughter organisms are genetically identical to parent organisms. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is Budding
     – Definition, Process, Significance
2. What is Fragmentation
     – Definition, Process, Significance
3. What are the Similarities Between Budding and Fragmentation
     – Outline of Common features
4. What is the Difference Between Budding and Fragmentation
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Asexual Reproduction, Budding, Fragmentation, Multicellular, Unicellular

What is Budding 

Budding is a method of asexual reproduction in which a daughter organism occurs as a protrusion on the parent organism. Generally, it occurs in unicellular organisms such as yeast. Moreover, budding occurs in multicellular organisms such as hydras and corals. In hydras, bud develops into a new organism and detaches out from the parent organism. However, in corals, buds do not detach from the parent organism, and they together form a colony.

Figure 1: Budding

What is Fragmentation  

Fragmentation is a type of asexual reproduction in which the body of the parent organism breaks off into two or more pieces. Subsequently, these pieces individually regenerate into new daughter organisms. Therefore, fragmentation can essentially occur in multicellular organisms. Especially, fragmentation occurs in seastars. 

Figure 2: Starfish Fragmentation

Furthermore, it occurs in annelids, turbellarians, and poriferans. On the other hand, it occurs in fungi and algae as well.

Similarities Between Budding and Fragmentation 

• Budding and fragmentation are two types of asexual reproduction methods used by lower organisms. 
• Significantly, both methods produce genetically identical daughter organisms to the parent organism. 
• New individuals always occur from the cells of the parent organism.   

Difference Between Budding and Fragmentation 

Definition 

Budding refers to a type of asexual reproduction in which a new organism develops from an outgrowth or bud due to cell division at one particular site, while fragmentation refers to a type of asexual reproduction in which the body of the parent organism breaks off into pieces that subsequently regenerate. Thus, this is the main difference between budding and fragmentation.

Type of Organisms 

Budding occurs in both unicellular and multicellular organisms, while fragmentation occurs in multicellular organisms. 

Occurrence 

Moreover, budding occurs in yeast, amoeba, sea anemone, etc. while fragmentation occurs in planaria, fungi, jellyfish, lichens, starfish, etc.  

Number of Daughter Organisms 

Another difference between budding and fragmentation is that budding produces a single daughter organism while fragmentation produces several daughter organisms. 

Type of Growth 

In budding, daughter cell undergoes cell growth to become a mature organism while in fragmentation, daughter organisms undergo regeneration.  

Conclusion 

Basically, budding is a type of asexual reproduction in unicellular and multicellular organisms such as yeast, amoeba, etc. Generally, a protrusion from the parent cell develops into a new cell. However, a single daughter organism can be produced per time in budding. On the other hand, fragmentation is another method of asexual reproduction, occurring in multicellular organisms such as fungi, algae, planaria, starfish, etc. Here, the parent organism breaks off into several pieces that are then regenerated into multiple daughter organisms. Therefore, the main difference between budding and fragmentation is the method of producing the daughter organism. 

References:

1. “Reproduction Methods.” Boundless Biology, Lumen, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hydra oligactis” By Lifetrance at en.wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “Figure 43 01 03” By CNX OpenStax (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia