Final answer:
A rooted cutting is a clone of the parent plant created through asexual reproduction. Grafting is a method of merging two plants' qualities that results in a chimera; this process can combine desirable traits like stem strength and root resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
A rooted cutting is essentially a clone of the parent plant because it is genetically identical to the parent. This is an example of asexual reproduction, where a new plant is produced without the mixing of genetic material from two different plants. Techniques such as rooting involve cutting a stem and placing it in moist soil so it may develop roots, subsequently developing into a mature plant much faster than it would from seeds. Plants such as rhizomes, stolons, and runners, employ similar methods of asexual reproduction, giving rise to new plants that are also clones of their parents.
In contrast, grafting merges the qualities of two plants. A scion from one plant is attached to the rootstock of another plant, creating a chimera, which is an organism with two different sets of genes. This is done for various reasons, such as combining a plant with strong stems with one that has a resistant root system, seen commonly in wine grape propagation.