Reproduction in flowering plants:
Reproduction is the ability of organisms to produce a new generation of themselves.
* Extremely important for survival and evolution of a species because through
reproduction, as individual passes on its genes to next generation.
There are two natural types of reproduction:
1. Asexual – production of a new generation of the same species by one
parent.
2. Sexual – production of a new generation of the same species by bringing
together the genetic material of two parents.
What is the similarity between asexual and sexual reproduction?
Produce the same kind of organisms in order to prevent their species from
becoming extinct.
Result in food being produced, which is vital to feed the world’s growing
population.
What are the differences betw asexual and sexual reproduction?
, What are the advantages of asexual reproduction?
All individuals can produce offspring therefore there is no expenditure of
energy to produce gametes or find a mate.
The process is simple and fast as it involves only mitosis, e.g. a single
bacterium by dividing into two every 20 minutes can produce 16 million
bacteria in 8 hours.
It is very useful in unchanging (stable) conditions, i.e. if the parent is well
adapted to a particular environment the genetically identical offspring will also
be well adapted.
A favourable mutation can spread rapidly enabling the population to adapt
quickly to new environmental conditions, e.g. resistance to antibiotics and
insecticides.
What are the disadvantages of asexual reproduction?
Unless there is a mutation, there is no variation in the offspring as there is no
recombination of alleles. If the environment changes the population might be
unable to adapt to the new conditions and could die out.
Overcrowding may occur and resources such as food might be in short
supply.
What is the advantage of sexual reproduction?
Sexual reproduction results in variation which:
is the basis of evolution.
gives organisms a better chance of survival in an unstable environment as the
offspring may be able to adapt to the new conditions.
may prevent the spread of disease as the offspring might be genetically
resistant to a particular disease.
may reduce the chance of inheriting a disease from a parent.
What are the disadvantages of sexual reproduction?
There is a high expenditure of energy as in plants special organs of
reproduction need to be produced, i.e. flowers.
The reproduction process is slower than asexual reproduction as it takes
time for gamete production and the meeting of gametes.
Unfavourable mutations and recessive genes might be expressed in the
offspring.
Outside agents may be needed in plants to carry pollen or seeds.
How does sexual reproduction take place?
Sexual reproduction is much more complicated than asexual reproduction.
* The diploid parent produces gametes (sex cells) in the gonads (sex organs)
by meiosis. The gametes are haploid as they contain one set (n) or half the
number of chromosomes.
* The male and female gametes are brought together by pollination (plants) or
mating(animals).
Reproduction is the ability of organisms to produce a new generation of themselves.
* Extremely important for survival and evolution of a species because through
reproduction, as individual passes on its genes to next generation.
There are two natural types of reproduction:
1. Asexual – production of a new generation of the same species by one
parent.
2. Sexual – production of a new generation of the same species by bringing
together the genetic material of two parents.
What is the similarity between asexual and sexual reproduction?
Produce the same kind of organisms in order to prevent their species from
becoming extinct.
Result in food being produced, which is vital to feed the world’s growing
population.
What are the differences betw asexual and sexual reproduction?
, What are the advantages of asexual reproduction?
All individuals can produce offspring therefore there is no expenditure of
energy to produce gametes or find a mate.
The process is simple and fast as it involves only mitosis, e.g. a single
bacterium by dividing into two every 20 minutes can produce 16 million
bacteria in 8 hours.
It is very useful in unchanging (stable) conditions, i.e. if the parent is well
adapted to a particular environment the genetically identical offspring will also
be well adapted.
A favourable mutation can spread rapidly enabling the population to adapt
quickly to new environmental conditions, e.g. resistance to antibiotics and
insecticides.
What are the disadvantages of asexual reproduction?
Unless there is a mutation, there is no variation in the offspring as there is no
recombination of alleles. If the environment changes the population might be
unable to adapt to the new conditions and could die out.
Overcrowding may occur and resources such as food might be in short
supply.
What is the advantage of sexual reproduction?
Sexual reproduction results in variation which:
is the basis of evolution.
gives organisms a better chance of survival in an unstable environment as the
offspring may be able to adapt to the new conditions.
may prevent the spread of disease as the offspring might be genetically
resistant to a particular disease.
may reduce the chance of inheriting a disease from a parent.
What are the disadvantages of sexual reproduction?
There is a high expenditure of energy as in plants special organs of
reproduction need to be produced, i.e. flowers.
The reproduction process is slower than asexual reproduction as it takes
time for gamete production and the meeting of gametes.
Unfavourable mutations and recessive genes might be expressed in the
offspring.
Outside agents may be needed in plants to carry pollen or seeds.
How does sexual reproduction take place?
Sexual reproduction is much more complicated than asexual reproduction.
* The diploid parent produces gametes (sex cells) in the gonads (sex organs)
by meiosis. The gametes are haploid as they contain one set (n) or half the
number of chromosomes.
* The male and female gametes are brought together by pollination (plants) or
mating(animals).
