Fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction in which a severed part of an organism can regrow into a whole new organism. The passage describes how a starfish that loses an arm through being attacked can regenerate its lost arm and also have the severed arm grow into an entirely new starfish, allowing the organism to reproduce without a sexual partner.

1. Asexual Reproduction“Fragmentation” – By Leonard Zein

2. “Fragmentation” is an asexual form of reproduction in which, when an organism is mutilated, the lost part of the organism reproduces into a copy of the original, and the original regains the lost part. Take this glowing starfish.Blub blub… Blub blub…Blub blub…

3. Now, let’s suppose that this hapless, blissful organism runs into a savage, barbaric sea-beast.Omnomnom…Blub blub… Blub blub…Blub blub…

4. SLICE!

5. Our starfish has escaped! But alas, it is not unscathed, as it is now missing an arm.Blub blub… Blub blub…Blub blub…

6. But fear not, heroic starfish, for you have the ability that is fragmentation!Blub blub?

7. Not only will your missing arm grow back…Spring!Blub blub?

8. Blub blub!**In real life, it would take much longer for the arm to grow back.

9. But the lost arm will grow into another starfish!Spring!BLUB!?

10. And now, little starfish, you have successfully completed your quest to carry down your lineage, through fragmentation!*(You also now have a friend)Blub, blub, blub? Blub blub! Blub blubblubblub…Blub – blub blub? Blub blubblub… Blub blub! BLUB!*In real life, it would take much longer for the arm to grow into a starfish..