In an abstract sense, reproduction serves as the mechanism by which an individual passes genetic information through time. Thus, during asexual reproduction there is no production of gametes, no fertilization and hence, no genetic recombination.
Asexual reproduction is much less common in animals.
One potential disadvantage. In theory, asexual reproduction should limit genetic variation in a population, and hence, would not be a disadvantage in the long-term evolutionary sense. Taking advantage of asexual reproduction. Gardeners have long taken advantage of the asexual reproduction process in plants. If you've ever taken a cutting from a plant or grafted a plant, you have, too.