Reproduction

Reproduction is the process of creating more life from existing life. Some creatures can reproduce themselves (see asexual reproduction). Higher forms of life require a male and female for this (see sexual reproduction).

The ability to reproduce is a key aspect of life. Things which cannot reproduce themselves are not considered to be alive in the full sense (but see virus).

Biologists usually do not consider how it is that the first living creatures came into being and acquired the ability to produce offspring.

Asexual reproduction is reproduction by a single organism. This reproduction is accomplished through a few different ways, primarily cloning (in bacteria and some sea dwelling invertebrates) through budding and self pollenation (in plants)