Question

Is there any term for living organisms or more specifically animals that can regrow a whole from small components (assuming sufficient quantity of cells or specific organs are present)? For example - as I understand - worms can regrow from a relatively small part of a worm - fragmentation? Some creatures can regrow limbs. Many plants can grown from small cuttings or root segments (fragmentation) as well as by budding. I wonder if any term exists to describe all of these processes, either for the respective kingdoms or more generally. In other words is there a class of life that is definitely not like mammals, which cannot reproduce limbs let alone survive the loss of any major organ function?

Answer 1

Regenerative reproduction or asexual reproduction describes organisms that can regrow a whole individual from parts, a process demonstrated by various animals and plants through fragmentation, budding, and fission.

The term for living organisms or animals that can regrow a complete individual from small components or organs, like worms regrowing through fragmentation, is known as regenerative reproduction or asexual reproduction. This ability to regenerate is exhibited by various organisms, such as some species of annelids, echinoderms like sea stars, and certain sponges and cnidarians. Organisms like plants, fungi, and algae also reproduce through means which do not require the proliferation of a single cell and can include budding, fission, and fragmentation, where parts of the organism break off and develop into full individuals. This regenerative capability varies widely among life forms, with many plants able to regrow from cuttings, while most mammals cannot regrow lost limbs or major organs.