What is Difference Between Fragmentation and Regeneration?

difference between fragmentation and regeneration is that Fragmentation is limited to forms of invertebrates, while regeneration is present in both vertebrates and invertebrates.

• Fragmentation is a method of reproduction (for example, starfish). Regeneration can be used as a method of reproduction (for example, starfish) or can be used to regenerate lost body parts (for example, lizards).

• In fragmentation, both parties produce new organisms while, in regeneration, when it is not for reproduction, the separate part cannot become a new organism.

• Regeneration is a modified form of fragmentation.

• Regeneration is more common in animals than in plants, while fragmentation is more common in plants than in animals (for example, non-vascular plants).

• Fragmentation can be found only in certain organisms, while several forms of regeneration can be found in almost all animals that live on earth.

Fragmentation vs. Regeneration

There are two types of reproduction methods existing among all organisms that live on this earth, namely asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction does not imply the exchange of genetic materials, while sexual reproduction implies the exchange of genetic material. Since there is no exchange of genetic material, the probability of variations occurring is very low in asexual reproduction. However, asexual reproduction is more advantageous when organisms are well adapted to a constant environment without significant changes. In animals, in general, asexual reproduction is limited to invertebrate forms. Both fragmentation and regeneration come under the asexual reproduction method. There are three main methods of asexual reproduction; Fission,

What is fragmentation?

Fragmentation is the process of breaking a piece of organism followed by cell division of mitosis. Meiosis is not involved in this process, as it is an asexual mode of reproduction. The broken part can become an independent adult. The reproduction of sea anemones, starfish and flatworms are well-known examples of fragmentation.

The fragmentation process is limited to invertebrates and is absent invertebrates. This is very common among cyanobacteria, molds, lichens, many plants and animals such as sponges, flatworms and starfish. The fragmentation capacity depends on the complexity of the organism. It may or may not be intentional and may occur naturally or by predators. Most of the time, after the division occurs, both fragments are capable of regenerating into complete individuals.

What is regeneration?

Regeneration is a modified form of fragmentation. It is known as a process that makes genomes, cell organs, organisms and ecosystems resistant after alterations or damage. All species that live on earth can regenerate, but only a few species use it as a method of asexual reproduction, thus producing new individuals for their body parts.

Flat planar worms are highly adapted with regeneration capabilities due to their asexual reproduction methods. Among vertebrates, tail amphibians (salamanders and newts) and certain lizards (geckos) are highly adapted to regenerate their limbs, tails, jaws, eyes and certain internal organs. As they are more complex multicellular animals, they cannot use regeneration to reproduce or as an asexual reproduction method. Starfish also have the same ability to regenerate their arm, but unlike amphibians and tail lizards, the lost arms of starfish could regenerate a whole new organism.

There are two main steps in the regeneration process. First, adult cells differ in stem cells. Stem cells are similar to embryonic cells. These stem cells then develop and differentiate into new tissues, thus creating new parts.

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