Final answer:
The growth of a new starfish from a piece of an existing starfish is an example of fragmentation, a type of asexual reproduction commonly observed in echinoderms and other organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a starfish is sliced into three pieces and each piece grows into a new starfish, this is an example of fragmentation, a form of asexual reproduction. This process is not only fascinating but also a biological defense mechanism against potential threats. For instance, fisheries workers attempting to decrease the sea star population by cutting them and tossing them back into the sea inadvertently increase the population, as the parts regenerate into whole new individuals.
In echinoderms like starfish, fragmentation is a process where an individual can reproduce from broken parts, as long as the part contains a piece of the central disc. Sea stars can also reproduce sexually, but fragmentation allows for rapid population growth under certain conditions. This biological phenomenon is observed in other organisms such as annelid worms, turbellarians, and poriferans.