Fragmentation is the procedure of breaking an organism into various pieces that are capable of growing into new individuals, while regeneration is a form of re-growth of a broken part of the body.
Two types of reproductive methods are discerned in all living organisms on this earth. They are asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction involves no exchange of genetic material, whereas sexual reproduction involves the exchange of genetic material. Since there is no genetic material exchange in asexual reproduction, the potential for variations is very low.
However, asexual reproduction is more important in a continuous environment with no significant changes. In animals, asexual reproduction is naturally popular in invertebrate forms. There are a variety of asexual reproductive methods such as fragmentation, budding, fission, and regeneration. Here we will discuss the difference between fragmentation and regeneration.
What is Fragmentation?
Fragmentation is the process of breaking up a cell’s organism, followed by mitotic cell division. It is a method of asexual reproduction that does not involve meiosis. Also, this broken part may develop into an independent adult. Breeding of sea anemones, starfish, and flatworm are well-known examples of fragmentation.
Fragmentation is a very common method of reproduction in invertebrates and is absent invertebrates. Many plants and animals such as cyanobacteria, molds, lichens, follow fission to regenerate sponges, flatworms, and sea stars. The capacity for fission depends on the complexity of the organism. This may be intentional or not and may occur naturally or by predators. Most of the time, after segmentation, both fragments can reproduce into complete individuals.
What is regeneration?
Regeneration is a modified form of fragmentation. It is a process that makes genomes, cells, organs, organisms, and ecosystems resilient after disturbances or damage. Each species living on Earth can reproduce, but only a few species use it as an asexual reproduction method, creating new individuals using their body parts.
Planetary flatworms have a higher regeneration capacity than other organisms. Invertebrates, tailed amphibians (salamanders and newts) and, some lizards (jacobs) can regenerate their limbs, tails, jaws, eyes, and some internal organs. Starfish also can recreate their arm, but unlike amphibians and lizards with tails, Starfish’s lost weapon can completely reclaim the new creature.
There are two major stages in the regeneration process. Adult cells first differentiate into stem cells. Stem cells are similar to embryonic cells. These stem cells then develop into new tissues and separate, forming new parts.
What is the difference between fragmentation and regeneration?
| Fragmentation | Regeneration |
| Fragmentation is the way of breaking an organism into various pieces that are capable of growing into new souls. | Regeneration is the re-development of a broken part of the body |
| Fragmentation can only be seen in invertebrate forms. | Regeneration is present in both vertebrates and invertebrates |
| Fragmentation is a method of reproduction. | Regeneration can either be used as a breeding method (for example starfish) or regenerate broken or lost body parts (such as lizards). |
| Fragmentation is seen more in animals than in plants (such as non-vascular plants). | Regeneration is generally seen more in animals than in plants. |
| Fragmentation can be found in only a few organisms. | Several forms of regeneration can be seen in almost all animals living on Earth. |
Conclusion
Fragmentation is a method of asexual reproduction. In this method, an organism is divided into several parts that are capable of evolving into new organisms. Regeneration is the process that aids in the redevelopment of broken parts of an organism. Some organisms also use regeneration as a method of reproduction. Typically, Fragmentation is common in invertebrates, while regeneration is common to all living organisms.