State the main difference between asexual and sexual reproduction.

Asexual reproduction involves one parent creating offspring that are identical or very similar to the parent, without mating. Sexual reproduction requires two parents, each contributing specialized sex cells (sperm and eggs), which combine during fertilization to form genetically diverse offspring. Asexual reproduction produces clones with no genetic variation, while sexual reproduction generates offspring with unique combinations of traits from both parents. This difference in offspring diversity distinguishes these two modes of reproduction.