Plant reproduction

• What type of reproduction involves only one parent?

  Asexual reproduction
• Why are the offspring produced by asexual reproduction genetically identical to the parent organism?

  Because there is no joining of sex cells during fertilisation
• What is the main characteristic of sexual reproduction?

  It involves the fusion of male and female gametes
• How do the offspring produced by sexual reproduction differ from each other?

  They are genetically different from each other
• What is a runner in asexual reproduction?

  A stem that runs along the ground
• What happens at the nodes of a runner?

  It forms adventitious roots and buds that grow into a new plant
• What is the process of cuttings in plant propagation?

  Rooting a severed piece of the parent plant and replanting it

  
• Why is energy important for the growth and development of a plant after rooting?

  It is used until the plant can photosynthesise and produce its own food
• What are the conditions needed for seed germination?

  • Water: activates enzymes to break down starch into glucose
  • Oxygen: needed for aerobic respiration to produce ATP
  • Temperature: optimum temperature for enzyme activity
• What is the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction?

  Asexual reproduction involves one parent and produces genetically identical offspring, while sexual reproduction involves two gametes and leads to genetic variation
• What is fertilisation in the context of reproduction?

  It involves the fusion of a male and female gamete to produce a zygote
• What happens to the zygote after fertilisation?

  It undergoes cell division and develops into an embryo
• How are insect-pollinated and wind-pollinated flowers adapted for pollination?

  Insect-pollinated flowers have bright colors and scents to attract insects, while wind-pollinated flowers produce lightweight pollen

  
• What is cross-pollination?


  It occurs when pollen from one plant is transferred to the stigma of another plant of the same species
• Why is cross-pollination beneficial for plants?

  It increases the genetic variation in the offspring
• What is self-pollination?


  It is when pollen from a flower lands on its own stigma or on the stigma of another flower on the same plant

  
• What is a disadvantage of self-pollination?

  It reduces genetic variation in the offspring
• Why is a lack of variation in offspring a disadvantage if environmental conditions change?

  It is less likely that any offspring will have adaptations that suit the new conditions
• What leads to seed and fruit formation?

  The growth of the pollen tube followed by fertilisation