New organisms are formed during regeneration when a fragmented piece of the original organism develops into a completely new, independent individual.
Regeneration, in the context of creating new organisms, refers to a specific type of asexual reproduction closely tied to fragmentation. The key process is that a piece of the original organism, whether intentionally or accidentally separated, has the capacity to grow and differentiate into a fully functional, separate organism.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Fragmentation: The original organism breaks into two or more pieces. This can be due to injury, environmental factors, or as a natural part of its life cycle.
- Cellular Differentiation and Growth: Each fragment undergoes cell division, differentiation, and growth. Specialized cells develop to form the necessary tissues and organs.
- Complete Organism Development: Eventually, each fragment regenerates the missing parts, resulting in multiple, genetically identical organisms.
Examples:
- Planarian Flatworms: If a planarian is cut into pieces, each piece can regenerate into a complete worm.
- Starfish: Some starfish species can regenerate from a single arm if it's accompanied by a portion of the central disc.
- Sea Sponges: Fragments of sea sponges can develop into new sponges.
Regeneration vs. Repair:
It's important to distinguish between regeneration that creates a new organism and regeneration that simply repairs damaged tissue. For example, humans can regenerate skin cells to heal a wound, but we cannot regenerate an entire limb. The type of regeneration described here involves the development of a new individual from a fragment.
In summary, new organisms are formed during regenerative fragmentation when detached pieces of the original organism possess the capacity to grow and develop into fully functional, independent individuals.
