What does fragmentation involve?

Fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction where a new organism develops from a fragment or part of the original organism. This process allows certain species to reproduce effectively, particularly in environments where conditions may be unfavorable for traditional sexual reproduction. Organisms that reproduce through fragmentation can regenerate lost parts, and these fragments can grow into complete individuals.

In this type of reproduction, the original organism can often survive after losing a part of itself, which may then grow into a new, genetically identical organism (clone). This is commonly observed in certain species of starfish, sea cucumbers, and some plants.

The other options describe different biological processes that do not relate specifically to fragmentation. For instance, the duplication of an organism refers to cloning, while the growth of an organism in a nutrient-rich environment involves general growth rather than the creation of new individuals from fragments. Cell reproduction through meiosis describes sexual reproduction mechanisms, which are separate from asexual processes like fragmentation.