Bio 14 Integrative Biology Laboratory

EXERCISE 7
REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES ACROSS LIFE FORMS

INTRODUCTION

One of the important characteristics of a living thing is its ability to reproduce itself. There are two types of
reproduction exhibited by living organisms, the sexual and asexual type. An organism can reproduce either
sexually or asexually or some could even use both types in their lifetime.

OBJECTIVES

1. To identify the different types of reproduction exhibited by different organisms

2. To identify the various structures involved in sexual and asexual reproduction of organisms

MATERIALS

Light compound microscope (individual if possible)

Prepared slides of the following:
Paramecium undergoing fission Human sperm cell
Paramecium undergoing conjugation Grasshopper testis
Rhizopus zygospore w.m. Frog’s ovary
Rhizopus sporangia w.m Lily ovary
Spirogyra undergoing conjugation Fresh flower
Spirogyra undergoing fragmentation

PROCEDURE

Lab Work 1. Reproduction in lower forms of organisms

Paramecium

Focus on the prepared slide of a protozoan, the Paramecium undergoing binary fission. Take note of
the cleavage furrow formed between the daughter cells. Make a sketch of the dividing Paramecium. The said
organism can also undergo sexual reproduction during its life cycle. It usually happens when the organism is
subjected to harsh condition. Observe the organism undergoing conjugation. Make a sketch of the
conjugating Paramecium and label the parts.

Rhizopus nigricans

Obtain a prepared slide of R. nigricans, a bread mold. It can reproduce asexually by sporulation. Notice
the special hyphae called sporangiophores that bear sporangia. These sporangia contain spores that develop
inside by mitosis and are released during sporulation. Make a sketch of R. nigricans undergoing sporulation.
Label the visible parts. Sexually, the R. nigricans can also reproduce through zygospore formation. Be able to
identify the zygospore formed between opposite mating types of hyphae. Such zygospore forms like a cyst
with protective covering. This is designed for the zygote to survive under harsh condition. Once the condition
favors, this germinates into a new bread mold.
Exercise 7. Reproductive Strategies Across Life Forms

Spirogyra

Spirogyra is a green filamentous alga. It can reproduce sexually through conjugation while its asexual
reproduction is through fragmentation. Focus a slide of Spirogyra undergoing fragmentation and draw the
filaments. Obtain a slide of Spirogyra undergoing conjugation. Take note of the conjugation tube between
cells in a filament. Notice also the fertilized zygote formed in some conjugating cells. This can be determined
as a dark spherical structure within the cell. Draw and label visible parts of Spirogyra undergoing
fragmentation and conjugation.

Lab Work 2. Reproduction in plants

The flower is the reproductive organ of flowering plants. Locate the female reproductive structure, the
pistil and carefully remove it from the flower. Make a sketch of the pistil and label the parts. Locate also the
male reproductive structure, the stamen. The anthers are attached to filaments that join together and form
the stamen tube, also known as the stamina column. This is unique to some flowers like that of a gumamela.
Anthers are connected to the top of the stamen and support pollen sacs. Remove the stamen from the flower
and make a sketch. Label the parts.

Focus on the cross-section of the lily ovary under scanning objective of your microscope. You will be
able to see the ovules with the developing oocyte. Make a sketch of the ovule and label the visible parts.

Lab Work 3. Reproduction in animals

Animals can reproduce either through sexual or asexual reproduction. Among the animals that can
reproduce asexually are the flatworms through fragmentation. However, most of the animals undergo sexual
reproduction. This is accomplished through external or internal fertilization. Most of the aquatic animals,
especially the invertebrates, undergo external fertilization. While in the terrestrial animals, internal fertilization
is exhibited. Sperm cells can then differ in appearance among animals.

Obtain the prepared slide of human sperm cell and make a sketch of the cells under HPO. Focus also
a slide of the cross-section of grasshopper’s testis. Take note of the different stages of sperm development
and draw them.

References

Campbell, NA, Reece JB, Mitchell LG, Taylor MR. 2003. Biology: Concepts and Connections, 4th ed. Pearson Education
Asia, Ltd. Singapore. 781 pp.

Evangelista, E. V. and Evangelista, L. T. (2009). Worktext in General Botany. C & E Publishing, Inc. 181 pp.

Rizzo, DC. 2006. Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology. Delmar Learning. 518 pp.

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