Reproduction and Consequences

• What is sexual reproduction?


  Combining genetic information from two parents to produce genetically different offspring
• How are gametes produced in sexual reproduction?


  By meiosis
• What happens during fertilization?


  The egg and sperm fuse to form a cell with the full number of chromosomes
• What is asexual reproduction?


  Reproduction involving only one parent, producing genetically identical offspring
• How does asexual reproduction occur?


  By mitosis
• What is the result of asexual reproduction?


  Genetically identical offspring, called clones
• What happens after fertilization?


  The new cell divides by mitosis to make copies of itself
• What occurs as the embryo develops?


  Cells start to differentiate into specialized types
• What is the main advantage of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction?


  Offspring have a mixture of two sets of chromosomes, leading to variation.
• How does variation in offspring contribute to a species' survival?


  Variation increases the chance of survival in changing environments.
• What is the relationship between natural selection and sexual reproduction?


  Natural selection favors individuals with advantageous traits, increasing their breeding success.
• What is selective breeding?


  Selective breeding is the process of breeding individuals with desirable characteristics to produce offspring with those traits.
• What is one advantage of asexual reproduction?


  It only requires one parent.
• Why does asexual reproduction use less energy than sexual reproduction?


  Because organisms do not need to find a mate.
• How does the speed of asexual reproduction compare to sexual reproduction?


  Asexual reproduction is faster than sexual reproduction.
• What happens to offspring produced asexually in favorable conditions?


  Many identical offspring can be produced.
• Which organism is mentioned as reproducing both sexually and asexually?

  Malaria parasite.
• How does the malaria parasite reproduce in humans compared to mosquitoes?


  It reproduces sexually in mosquitoes and asexually in humans.
• What do many species of fungi release for reproduction?

  They release spores.
• What is the difference between sexually and asexually produced spores in fungi?


  Asexually produced spores are genetically identical to the parent, while sexually produced spores introduce variation.
• Why do sexually produced spores often arise in response to environmental changes?


  They increase the chance that the population will survive unfavorable conditions.
• What is one way strawberry plants reproduce asexually?

  They produce runners.
• How do runners contribute to asexual reproduction in strawberry plants?


  Runners grow horizontally and form new identical plants at various points.
• What is another method of asexual reproduction in plants mentioned in the material?


  Plants can grow from bulbs.
• How do new bulbs form in plants like daffodils?


  New bulbs form from the main bulb and can grow into new identical plants.
• What are the advantages of sexual reproduction?

  • Offspring have genetic variation.
  • Increases survival chances in changing environments.
  • Natural selection favors better-adapted individuals.
  • Selective breeding can enhance desirable traits.
• What are the advantages of asexual reproduction?


  • Requires only one parent.
  • Uses less energy than sexual reproduction.
  • Faster reproduction rate.
  • Can produce many identical offspring in favorable conditions.
• What are examples of organisms that can reproduce both sexually and asexually?


  • Malaria parasite (sexually in mosquitoes, asexually in humans).
  • Many species of fungi (release spores).
  • Various plant species (e.g., strawberries and daffodils).