Which type of reproduction involves only one parent?

Asexual reproduction is the process that involves only one parent and leads to the production of offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. This type of reproduction is common in simple organisms like bacteria, yeast, and certain plants, and it allows for rapid population growth since it does not require a mate. In asexual reproduction, the offspring are produced through methods like budding, fission, or fragmentation, which do not involve the combination of genetic material from two different parents, as is the case with sexual reproduction.

This fundamental difference highlights the efficiency of asexual reproduction in stable environments where an organism's adaptations are well-suited to the surroundings, allowing it to capitalize on its existing traits without the need for genetic variation that sexual reproduction might provide.