Duplication, or reproduction, refers to the process by which living organisms create new individuals of the same species. This can occur through various methods, including sexual reproduction, where genetic material from two parents combines, and asexual reproduction, where a single organism produces offspring without the involvement of another. In the biological context, duplication ensures the continuation of species and can occur in many forms, such as binary fission in bacteria or budding in yeast. Each method has its advantages, allowing organisms to adapt to their environments and maintain genetic diversity or produce large numbers of offspring quickly.