Final answer:
The type of asexual reproduction where a hydra grows another organism from its side is called budding, which is option C) Budding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hydra, a fascinating aquatic organism belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, employs a distinctive mode of asexual reproduction known as budding. Budding is a process wherein a new organism, referred to as a bud, emerges from the body of the parent organism and subsequently grows into a mature, independent individual before detaching.
In the case of hydra, which has a tubular body, budding occurs as a localized outgrowth or bulge on the side of the organism. This bud undergoes development, gradually acquiring the characteristics of an adult hydra. As the bud matures, it eventually detaches from the parent hydra, gaining autonomy as a separate and functional organism.
This method of asexual reproduction, specifically budding, is distinct from other forms such as binary fission, vegetative propagation, and fragmentation. Binary fission involves the division of a single organism into two equal parts, each capable of independent existence. Vegetative propagation typically pertains to plants and involves the generation of new individuals from specialized plant structures like runners or tubers. Fragmentation occurs when an organism breaks into fragments, and each fragment can develop into a complete organism.
Budding, unique to certain organisms like hydra, showcases the growth of a distinct offspring as an outgrowth from the parent organism. This process ensures the continuity of the species through the generation of genetically identical individuals. The distinctive nature of budding sets it apart from other mechanisms of asexual reproduction, emphasizing the diversity of reproductive strategies observed in the natural world.