Budding process, which is a part of asexual reproduction, develops into a new organism from a growth or bud formed through cell division at a specific site. This is due to the fact that only one parent is involved in this process and there is no meiosis or no gamete fusion in both which can result in genetic variations or recombination. The budding process has several advantages in plants as it enables the transfer of particular buds to stems that are already in good development condition. Some organisms such as- hydra and yeast reproduce by budding.

What is Budding?

Budding is part of asexual reproduction. Budding is the formation of an individual daughter from a small bud on the parent’s body. The newly developed progeny produced by this method are genetically and morphologically homologous to the parent organism. This is due to the fact that only one parent is involved in this process and there is no meiosis or no gamete fusion in both which can result in genetic variations or recombination.

During budding, a cytoplasmic disruption takes place in the basal area of the parent body and develops a new bud. The bud develops and grows by absorbing nutrients from the parent body. As it continues to develop, the newly formed organism remains attached. It separates from the parent organism when it matures, leaving behind scar tissue. The bud separates from the parent body after some growth and develops into a new organism. A few organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, protozoans, and cnidarians, exhibit this type of asexual reproduction.

Types of Budding

On the basis of the site of bud formation budding is classified into types as follows:

1. Exogenous budding
2. Endogenous budding

Exogenous budding

In this type of budding, a bud is formed outside the parent body, which matures to form an individual new organism and separate from the parent body, such as a yeast-like spore. They remain attached to the mother body and form a colony. Since they have lived independently. For Instance bacteria, yeast, protozoans, and cnidarians.

In yeast, unequal division results in the formation of a very small bud, which remains attached to the parent cell for a long time, detach, and forms a new yeast

Budding in Yeast

The fungi kingdom is mostly multicellular and eukaryotic organisms. They are also heterotrophs and obtained nutrition by absorption. Yeast is a single-celled, achlorophyllous microbe that is a member of the fungi kingdom. Yeast are always larger in comparison to the bacteria and they normally have 3-4 µm in diameter. 

In this type of budding, a small bud is developed as an extension of the parent’s body. The nucleus of the parent organism divides and produces one daughter nucleus. Later the nucleus of the original yeast is divided into two parts and one nucleus migrates to the bud. The recently formed bud splits in two and develops into a new cell. Sometimes the newly formed buds remain attached to the parent cell for a long time and this forms a chain of buds called pseudomycelium. The buds separate eventually from the parent cell and develop into new organisms.

Endogenous Budding

Endogenous budding is another process of budding, this process is also known as internal budding. It is a unique procedure in which new organisms or buds develop within the mother organism or cell. Here, the bud develops inside the parent. This type of budding is mostly present in the freshwater and marine region sponges that belong to the phylum Porifera. This particular type of budding is present in sponges of the phylum Porifera.

For example, Spongilla is a sponge genus that exhibits endogenous budding. Several buds called gemmules grow and mature inside the mother spongilla. They then emerge from the central cavity through an aperture and become self-contained individuals.

Budding in Hydra

Hydra are multicellular organisms that are part of the phylum  Coelenterata. It is very small in size, approximately half-centimeter long. Phylum Coelenterata consists of a tubular body that is made up of a head, a distal end, and a foot at the end.  The interstitial epidermal cells undergo repetitive multiplication, which causes a bulge that appears near the middle or basal section of the parent body in Hydra. This bulge develops into a bud later. The wall of the bud consists of the epidermis and gastrodermis. The gastrovascular cavity of the parent Hydra and the internal lumen of the bud develop simultaneously. 

Similarities Between Exogenous and Endogenous Budding

• Exogenous and Endogenous Budding both are types of asexual reproduction procedures.
• Both are two forms of budding that are seen in living organisms.
• Both are producing a new offspring
• Both occur in the mitotic cell division.

Difference Between Exogenous and Endogenous Budding

Difference Between Budding and Binary Fission

FAQs on Budding

Q1: What is the definition of budding?

Answer: 

Budding is an asexual reproduction process in which a new organism is produced from a bud of an existing organism. The new organism remains connected to the parent organism until it matures. for example-Hydra and yeast reproduce by budding.

Q2:  What are the drawbacks of budding?

Answer: 

Budding is an asexual reproduction process in which the offspring produced are identical to the parent. As a result,  there is no genetic diversity. In contrast to sexual reproduction, it cannot drive evolution.

Q3:  What are the advantages of budding?

Answer: 

Budding is usually used to multiply a variety that cannot be produced from seed. It is a typical technique for growing roses, fruit trees, and many different kinds of decorative plants and shrubs.