Reproduction in Organisms 737

CHAPTER 23
REPRODUCTION IN
ORGANISMS

NCERT BIOLOGICS ©
LIFE SPAN
1. The period from birth to the natural death of an
organism represents its life span. REPRODUCTION
2. Life spans of organisms are not necessarily correlated 1. Reproduction is defined as a biological process in
with their sizes, e. g ., the sizes of crows and parrots are which an organism gives rise to young ones (offspring).
almost same but the life span of crow is 15 years 2. The organisms habitat, its internal physiology and
whereas the life span of parrot is 140 years. Similarly, other factors are collectively responsible for how it
a mango tree has a much shorter life span is reproduces.
comparison to a peepal tree.
3. Whatever be the life span, death of every individual TYPES OF REPRODUCTION
organism is a certainty, i.e., no individual is
It is of two types : asexual and sexual.
immortal, except single-celled organisms.
There is no natural death in single-celled organisms
because when these grow, they divide i. e., mother cell ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
divides into two daughter cell (e. g ., by binary fission) 1. It is uniparental.
and thus no body part is left to die. 2. It can occur with or without gamete formation but
4. Life spans of some organisms: gametic fusion is absent.
3. The individuals produced are clones of each other and
Organisms Life span
their parents. Clone is a group of morphologically and
1. Elephant 60-85 years genetically similar individuals. Each member of a clone
2. Rose is called ramet.
5-7 years
4. It is common in lower organisms like monera, protista,
3. Banana plant 25 years algae, fungi and sponges. Higher plants also exhibit
4. Cow 20-25 years asexual reproduction known as vegetative
5. Crow 15 years reproduction.
5. It is simple and quick method of reproduction.
6. Parrot 140 years
7. Rice plant 3-4 months Different types of asexual reproduction
8. Fruit fly 1. Binary Fission : Here, a cell divides into two halves
2 weaks
and each rapidly grows into an adult e. g ., Amoeba,
9. Banyan tree 200-300 years Paramoecium and bacteria.
10. Tortoise 100-150 years 2. Budding : Here, e.g., in yeasts (Saccharomyces), the
cell division is unequal and small buds are produced
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that remain attached initially to the parent cell which reproductive structure called vegetative propagules
finally gets separated and mature into new yeast like tuber, rhizome, bulb, corm etc. It can occur
organisms (cells). naturally or by horticulture methods.
Note :
S. Note: Vegetative reproduction is a kind of asexual
Binary Fission Budding reproduction as it is uniparental and does not
No
involves gametic fusion.
1. Cell division is equal. It is unequal.
2. A protuberance/ A protuberance in the from Natural Methods of Vegetative Reproduction
outgrowth is not formed. of bud is formed. 1. Stem:
3. Nucleus divides first Nucleus divides later, before (i) Underground stem : Like tuber (e. g .,
followed by division of the which cytoplasm gives out an potato), rhizome (e. g ., ginger and banana),
cytoplasm. outgrowth.
bulb (e. g ., onion and garlic) and corm (e. g .,
4. The identity of parent cell The identity of parent cell Amorphophallus, Colocasia).
is lost. remains.
(ii) Sub-aerial stem is a weak stem that spreads
3. Sporulation: It is the process of spore formation. It is on ground or on water. It includes offset (e. g .,
common in monera, protista, algae and fungi. Eichhornia—water hyacinth and Pistia—water
Motile spores are called planospores or zoospores lettuce), sucker (e. g ., Ananas,
which are most common asexual spores of Chrysanthemum), runner (e. g ., grasses).
algae. (iii) Bulbils are larger sized fleshy buds which fall
Non-motile spores are aplanospores like from plants and propagate in soil to form new
hypnospores, akinetes, oidia, sporangio- plant, e. g ., Agave, Dioscorea.
spores, conidia etc. Conidia are the most (iv) Turions are fleshy aquatic buds, e. g .,
common asexual spores of fungi. Potamogeton.
Some spores are produced exogenously, e. g ., conidia
in Penicillium and some endogenously, e. g .,
Note: Water hyacinth, i. e., Eichhornia (Terror of Bengal)
sporangiospores in Rhizopus.
is most invasive aquatic weed and was introduced in
India for its beautiful flowers and shape of leaves. It
Note: is found in standing water bodies, and drains
1. Asexual reproduction can also occur by exogenous
oxygen from water which can kill fishes.
budding, e. g ., Hydra or endogenous budding by
the production of gemmules, e. g ., sponges like 2. Leaves : The adventitious buds arise from notches
Spongilla. Budding and gemmule formation are present at leaf margins, e. g ., Bryophyllum, Kalanchoe,
common asexual methods seen in lower animals. Begonia and fern like Adiantum.
2. In some organisms, if the body breaks into distinct
3. Roots: Adventious buds sprout in some roots also, e.g.,
pieces (fragments) each fragment grows into an adult
Dahlia.
capable of producing offspring (e. g ., Hydra). This is also
a mode of asexual reproduction called fragmentation. Artificial Methods of Vegetative Reproduction
3. Under unfavourable condition, Amoeba withdraws its 1. Cutting : Stem cutting (e. g ., Rosa, Duranta), Leaf-
pseudopodia and secretes a three-layered hard cutting (e. g ., Sansevieria), root cutting ( e. g .,
covering or cyst around itself. This phenomenon is Citrus, Tamarindus).
called encystation. When favourable conditions 2. Layering : It is common in plants whose soft stem
return, the encysted Amoeba divides by multiple branch are present near to the soil, e. g ., blackberry,
fission and produces many minute amoebae or raspberry.
pseudopodiospores; the cyst wall bursts out, and the Air-Layering (= gootee) is common in Citrus, Litchi
spores are liberated in the surrounding medium to etc.
grow up into many amoebae. This phenomenon is
3. Grafting : It is performed to develop composite plant
called sporulation.
and is common in dicots like mango, apple, guava etc.
4. Vegetative reproduction (Propagation): It is a 4. Micropropagation: It is the propagation of plants
form of asexual reproduction in which new plants grow from plant tissue (explant) by tissue culture
from a fragment of the parent plant (somatic/ techniques.
vegetative part) or grows from a specialised
 Reproduction in Organisms 739

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION 3. Senescent phase: It is the post-reproductive phase

and involves structural and functional deterioration
1. It can be uniparental (e. g ., bisexual plant and
which finally leads to death.
monoecious plant) or mostly biparental ( e. g ., in most
Difference :
of the plants and animals).
2. Due to genetic variation, offsprings are not identical to S.
parents or among themselves. Monoecious Plants Dioecious Plants
No.
3. Sexual reproduction involves reduction division
1. Both male and female Male and female flowers
(meiosis) and syngamy (gametic fusion). flowers are found on the are found separately on
4. Reproduction is not rapid as it is a slow, complex same plant. male and female plants
and elaborate process. respectively.
2. It prevents autogamy but It prevents both autogamy
Phases in Life Cycle of a Sexually Reproducing not geitonogamy. and geitonogamy.
Organism
3. E . g. , Ricinus (castor), Zea E . g. , Carica papaya
There are three phases in an organisms life cycle : mays (maize), Cucurbita (papaya), Phoenix (date
1. Juvinile phase or Pre-reproductive phase and Cocos (coconut). palm)and Vallisneria
2. Reproductive phase
3. Senescent phase In both plants and animals, hormones are responsible for
1. Juvenile Phase/Pre-reproductive phase : In this transitions between the three phase (i.e., juvinile,
phase organisms show growth after which it reaches sexual reproductive and senescent phase). Interaction between
maturity. This phase is of variable duration in different organisms. hormones and certain environmental factors regulate the
2. Reproductive Phase : In this phase reproductive reproductive processes and the associated behavioural
organs develop and mature. In angiosperms, this phase is expressions of organisms.
marked by the formation of flowers. This phase is also
variable in different organisms. Note:
Difference: 1. The females of placental mammals exhibit cyclical
S. changes in the activities of ovaries and accessory ducts
Monocarpic Plants Polycarpic Plants as well as hormones during the reproductive phase.
No.
2. In non-primate mammals like cow, sheep, rats, deers,
1. The plants flower only once The plants flower repeatedly dogs, tiger etc. (which reproduce seasonally), such
in their life. at intervals in their life. cyclical changes during reproduction are called
2. Plants are generally annual Plants are perennial. oestrus cycle whereas in primates like monkeys,
or biennial. Very few
apes and humans, it is called menstrual cycle.
monocarpic plants are
perennial. 3. Many mammals, especially those living in natural,
3. Interflowering period is Interflowering period is
wild conditions exhibit such cycles only during
absent. present. favourable seasons in their reproductive phase and
4. E . g. , all annuals (like E . g. , mango, apple, orange,
are therefore called seasonal breeders. Other
wheat, rice) biennials (like china rose. mammals are reproductively active throughout their
radish, carrot) and few reproductive phase and thus called continuous
perennials (like Bambusa breeders.
or bamboo).
EVENTS IN SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Note:
After attainment of maturity, all sexually
1. The monocarpic plant, Strobilanthus kunthiana (vern.
reproducing organisms exhibit events and
Neelakuranji) has a life span of 12 years. In the 12th year,
processes that have remarkable fundamental
it flowers forms fruits and dies. The plant came to flower
similarity, even though the structures associated with
in september-october 2018, which converted larger hilly
sexual reproduction are indeed very different. These
tracts of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu into blue
sequential events may be grouped into three distinct stages—
stretches which attracted huge number of tourists. the pre-fertilisation, fertilisation and the post-fertilisation
2. In polycarpic plants, the period between two flowering events.
phases is called interflowering period which is used
for building up resources and so, a recovery phase. It I. Pre-fertilisation Events
is not a juvinile phase but a part of mature phase. It involves (a) gametogenesis and (b) gamete transfer.
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(a) Gametogenesis Sexuality in Organisms

It is the process of formation of male and female gametes: 1. Sexual reproduction in organisms generally involves
Types of gametes: the fusion of gametes from two different individuals. It
can also involve the same individual.
S. Isogametes /
Heterogametes 2. Plants may have both male and female reproductive
No. Homo-gametes
structures in the same plant (bisexual plants and
1. Fusing gametes are Fusing gametes are morpho- monoecious plants) or on different plants (dioecious
morphologically similar. logically distinct (different). plants).
2. These are found in some It is found in majority of
algae (Ulothrix, Clado- sexually reproducing
Note:
phora, Chlamydomonas organisms like algae (Chara,
debaryana) and some Volvox, Fucus), all 1. In bisexual plants, each flower possess both male
fungi (Rhizopus, Synchy- bryophytes, pteridophytes, and female parts, e.g., Hibiscus, Rosa, Pisum sativum
trium) gymnosperm and (pea).
angiosperms. 2. In monoecious plants, male and female flowers are
Cell Division during Gamete Formation present separately on the same plant, e.g., Zea,
Cucurbita.
1. Gametes in all heterogametic species are of two types—
3. In dioecious plants, male and female flowers are
male gamete (antherozoid or sperm) and female
gamete. present separately on different plants, e.g., Carica
2. Gametes are haploid though the parent plant body papaya, Phoenix.
from which they arise may be either haploid or diploid. 3. In several fungi, if the morphologically similar gametes
A haploid parent produces gametes by mitotic division. are produced from the same parent, such organisms are
3. Several organisms belonging to monera, most called homothallic. When the morpholocially similar
fungi, most algae and bryophytes have haploid gametes are produced from different parents, such
plant body, whereas pteridophytes, organisms are called heterothallic.
gymnosperms and most animals including 4. In flowering plants, the unisexual male flower is
human, the parental body is diploid. staminate and female flower is pistillate.
4. In diploid organisms, specialised cells called
meiocytes/gamete mother cell (2n) undergo meiosis to (b) Gamete Transfer
from haploid gametes. 1. In a majority of organisms, male gamete is motile and
5. In haploid organisms, gametes are formed by mitosis. the female gamete is stationary. Exceptions are a few
Meiosis do occur in the life cycle of haploid organisms fungi and most of the algae in which both types of
(algae and fungi). In these organisms zygotic gametes are motile. There is a need for a medium
meiosis occur which leads to the formation of haploid through which the male gametes move. In several
spores which germinates and divide mitotically to form simple plants like algae, bryophytes and pteridophytes,
haploid body. water is the medium through which this gamete
Chromosome Numbers in Meiocytes (diploid, 2n) transfer occurs. A large number of the male gametes,
however, fail to reach the female gametes. To
S. Chromosome number in
Organism compensate this loss of male gametes during transport,
No. meiocyte (2n)
the number of male gametes produced is several
1. Drosophila (Fruit fly) 8 thousand times the number of female gametes
2. Homo sapiens (Human) 46 produced.
3. Musca domestica 12 2. In seed plants, pollen grains are the carriers of male
(Housefly) gametes and ovule have the egg. Pollen grains are
4. Allium cepa (Onion) 16 produced in anthers therefore, have to be transferred
5. Zea mays (Maize) 20 to the stigma before it can lead to fertilisation. This
6. Oryza sativa (Rice) 24
transfer of pollens occur by pollination.
7. Malus (Apple) 34 II. Fertilisation
8. Ophioglossum (Adder’s 1260 1. The most vital event of sexual reproduction is the
tongue fern) fusion of gametes. This process called syngamy results
in the formation of a diploid zygote. The term
fertilisation is also often used for this process.

Note: In some organisms like rotifers, honeybees and even
some lizards and birds (turkey), the female gamete
undergoes development to form new organisms
without fertilisation. This phenomenon is called
parthenogenesis.In plants also parthenogenesis
occurs.
2. Syngamy/fertilization can occur in the external
medium or inside the body. Thus, syngamy can be
differentiated into two types :
(i) External fertilisation: Syngamy occurs in
the external medium (water) outside the
body, e.g., majority of the algae and fishes as
well as amphibians.
Organisms exhibiting external fertilisation show
great synchrony between the sexes and release a
large number of gametes (both male and female
gametes) into the surrounding medium (water)
in order to enhance the chances of syngamy.
This happens in the bony fishes and frogs where
a large number of offspring are produced.
A major disadvantage is that the offsprings are
extremely vulnerable to predators threatening
their survival up to adulthood.
(ii) Internal fertilisation: Syngamy occurs
inside the body of the organism. It occurs in
many terrestrial organisms, belonging to fungi,
higher animals such as reptiles, birds, mammals
and in a majority of plants (bryophytes,
pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms).
In organisms exhibiting internal fertilisation,
the male gamete is motile and has to reach the
egg in order to fuse with it. In these organism
even though the number of sperms produced is
very large, there is a significant reduction in the
number of eggs produced. In seed plants
(gymnosperms and angiosperms) the
non-motile male gametes are carried to female
gamete by pollen tubes.
III. Post Fertilization Events
The events in sexual reproduction after the formation of
zygote are called post-fertilisation events.
Zygote
1. Formation of the diploid zygote is universal in all
sexually reproducing organisms.
2. Further development of zygote depends on the type of
life cycle the organism has and the environment it is
exposed to.
3. In organisms belonging to fungi and algae, zygote
develops a thick wall that is resistant to dessication and
Reproduction in Organisms 741
damage. These special zygotes are called
zygospores.
4. In organisms with haplontic life cycle zygote divides by
meiosis to form haploid spores that grow into haploid
individuals.
5. Zygote is a vital link that ensures continuity of
species between organisms of one generation and the
next. Every sexually reproducing organism, including
human beings begin life as a single cell–the zygote.
Embryogenesis
1. Embryogenesis is the process of development of
embryo from zygote.
2. During embryogenesis, zygote undergoes cell division
(mitosis) and cell differentiation. Cell divisions
increase the number of cells in the developing embryo;
cell differentiation helps groups of cells to undergo
certain modifications to form specialised tissues and
organs to form an organism.
3. Depending upon development of zygote outside or
inside the body of the female parent, animals have been
classified into oviparous and viviparous
respectively.
Oviparous animals lay eggs (e. g ., some species of
sharks, skates, bony fishes, frog, lizard, birds), the yolk
in the egg supplies food to the embryo. In some
oviparous organisms (e. g ., reptiles and birds), the
fertilized eggs are covered by hard calcareous shell or
in some cases with leathery coat. Such eggs are laid in
the safe place where they are incubated for certain
period and then young ones hatch out.
Viviparous animals have the development of
fertilized egg into embryo within the uterus of female
parent and offspring is born as juviniles. The embryo in
viviparous organisms receives noruishment from the
mother’s blood through placenta. Chances of survival
of young ones is greater in viviparous organisms.
Note: In ovoviviparous organisms (e.g., many species of
sharks), the eggs are incubated within a modified
portion of the oviduct called uterus and the young
ones are borne alive after hatching. During
development, they depend on the stored yolk for
their nourishment.
4. In flowering plants, the zygote is formed inside the
ovule. After fertilisation, in most plants, sepals, petals
and stamens of the flower wither and fall off.
The zygote develops into embryo and the ovules into
seed.
The ovary develops into fruit which develops a thick
wall called pericarp which is protective in function.
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After dispersal, seeds germinate under favourable conditions to produce new plants.

Note: Difference
S.
Zoospore Zygote
No.
1. It is a motile structure (spore). It may be motile or non-motile.
2. Helps in asexual reproduction. It is the product of sexual reproduction.
3. It may be haploid or diploid. It is always diploid.

4. Usually naked. Thin walled. Zygospores are thick walled zygote.

Difference:
S.
Zygospore Zoospore
No
1. It is a type of zygote which is a result of isogamy, is It is a motile asexual spore.
thick walled, can germinate and may be motile or
non-motile.
2. It is diploid. It may be diploid or haploid.

Difference:
S.
Oospore Oosphere
No.
1. It is a special type of zygote which is a result of oogamy It is another name for egg or ovum.
and can germinate.
2. It is diploid. It is haploid.

Difference:
S.
Apomixis Amphimixis
No.
1. It is the asexual reproduction in plants in particular It is the sexual repoduction involving fusion of two gametes to from
agamospermy. zygote.
 Reproduction in Organisms 743

Section-A : Questions Based on NCERT Textbook

Asexual Reproduction 7. Budding in yeasts finally produce new progenies. This
1. Which of the following is not incorrect ? method :
(a) Clones are morphologically similar but genetically (a) Produces offsprings which can be called clones
dissimilar (b) Is a type of asexual reproduction
(b) The product of binary fission which are progeny (c) Is actually related to parthenogenesis
bacteria are clones (d) Both (a) and (b)
(c) The two daughter cells produced as a result of 8. Asexual reproduction occurs in :
mitosis are not clones (a) Animals
(d) The two plasmid DNA produced as a result of (b) Plants
replication from a parent plasmid DNA cannot be (c) Prokaryotes
termed as gene clone (d) All of these
2. In protists and monerans : 9. Select the incorrect match :
(a) The cells divide meiotically (a) Sponge — Gemmule
(b) Cell division is itself a mode of reproduction (b) Potato — Tuber
(c) Amitosis is absent (c) Water hyacinth — Offset
(d) Gamete formation occurs (d) Yeast — Bulb
3. The most common asexual reproductive structure 10. Read the following statements :
formed in algae is : (i) Eichhornia contributes extra oxygen to the water
(a) Conidia (b) Zoospores bodies which reduces the mortality of fishes
(c) Buds (d) Gemmules (ii) Zingiber propagates vegetatively by tap roots
4. Match the columns : (iii) Fleshy buds which take part in vegetative
Column-I Column-II propagation are called bulbils, e. g ., Agave
(iv) A potato tuber having atleast one eye, i. e.,
A. Zoospore (i) Penicillium
axillary bud can form a new plant
B. Conidia (ii) Sponges (v) Bryophyllum possess leaf buds
C. Gemmule (iii) Hydra Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
D. Buds (iv) Chlamydomonas (a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) (iii), (iv) and (v)
(a) A = (i), B = (iv), C = (ii), D = (iii)
(c) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(b) A = (iii), B = (ii), C = (i), D = (iv)
(d) (ii) only
(c) A = (iv), B = (iii), C = (ii), D = (i)
11. What is true for the structure marked X in the diagram
(d) A = (iv), B = (i), C = (ii), D = (iii)
given below ?
5. The formation of rhizome, sucker, tuber, offset and
bulb : X
(a) Is essentially biparental
(b) Does not involve two parents
(c) May occur in algae and fungi
(d) Essentially require gamete involvement
6. ‘Terror of Bengal’:
(a) Is the most invasive terrestrial weed
(b) Was introduced in India for its good quality fruits (a) X represents the eyes
(c) Is a slow growing aquatic weed (b) X represents the axillary buds
(d) Is Eichhornia (c) X represents the terminal bud
(d) More than one option is correct
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12. Identify correctly : A, B, C and D : 15. Which of the following is not used for vegetative
propagation ?
(a) Bud and bulb
(b) Bulb and bulbil
(c) Archegonium and antherozoid
(d) Turion and leaves
16. Choose the option which shows two plants in which
new plantlets arise from the same organ during
vegetative propagation ?
(a) Solanum tuberosum and Saccharum
(A) (B) (b) Rosa and Dahlia
(c) Potato and sweet potato
(d) Ginger and sweet potato
17. Which of the following gives rise to clones of bacteria?
(a) Conjugation
(b) Transduction
(c) Transformation
(d) Binary fission
18. Natural death is absent in :
(a) Bacteria reproducing by binary fission
(b) Amoeba
(C) (D)
(c) Unicellular organisms
(d) More than one option is correct
A B C D 19. Which of the following is incorrect for ‘Terror of
Offset of Leaf buds of Bulbil of Penicillium Bengal’?
(a)
Eichhornia Bryophyllum Agave with conidia (a) It is found both in stagnant and running water
(b) Bulbil of Offset of Bulbil of Penicillium (b) Is an aquatic weed
Agave Eichhornia Agave with conidia (c) Both (a) and (b)
(c) Leaf buds of Bulbil of Offset of Penicillium (d) It drains away dissolved oxygen from water
Bryophyllum Agave Eichhornia with conidia
20. Which of the following is true for budding but not for
(d) Offset of Leaf buds of Penicillium Bulbil of binary fission ?
Eichhornia Bryophyllum with conidia Agave
(a) Parent cell has its identity
13. Which of the following correctly depicts the natural (b) Cytoplasm forms an outgrowth (protuberance)
and artificial method of vegetative propagation ? prior to division of nucleus
Natural Method Artificial Method (c) Both (a) and (b)
(a) Bulb Grafting (d) Cell division is equal
(b) Rhizome Tuber 21. Which of the following can propagate by leaf buds ?
(c) Layering Bulbil (a) Asparagus
(d) Tissue culture Offset (b) Mangifera
14. The vegetative propagation means : (c) Kalanchoe and Bryophyllum
(a) Asexual reproduction in lower group of animals (d) Agave and Pistia
(b) Sexual reproduction in higher group of animals 22. Identify the organism (X) and the structure (Y) and the
(c) Asexual reproduction in plants parts labelled as A, B, C, D and E :
(d) Sexual reproduction in plants
 Reproduction in Organisms 745

C Which of the above statements are correct ?

(a) (ii), (iv) and (v) (b) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
A (c) (i), (ii) and (iii) (d) (i) and (ii)
26. A clear cut vegetative, reproductive and senescent
phase can be observed in :
(a) Annual plants
D (b) Biennial plants
(c) Monocarpic plants
E (d) All of these
B 27. Bambusa is similar to Neelakuranji in :
(X) (Y) (a) Being monocarpic
(b) Being polycarpic
Opti (c) Length of juvinile phase
X A B Y C D E
ons
(d) All of the above
Hydra Bud Mouth Gemmule Micro- Archaeo- Spicules
(a) (of pyle cytes
28. Read the following statements :
sponges) (i) Interaction between hormones and certain
Obelia Mouth Bud Gemmule Archae- Spicules Micro- environmental factors regulate the reproductive
(b) ocytes pyle
Hydra Mouth Bud Gemmule Micro- Archaeo- Spicules
processes and the associated behavioural
(c) (of pyle cytes expression of organisms
sponges)
(ii) In animals, but not in plants, hormones are
Sycon Mouth Micro- Gemmule Spicu- Bud Archaeo-
(d) pyle les cytes responsible for the transitions between juvinile,
reproductive and senescent phases
Sexual Reproduction (iii) After attainment of maturity, all sexually
23. Sexual reproduction results in offsprings that are not reproducing organisms exhibit events and
identical to the parents or among themselves because : processes that have remarkable fundamental
(a) They are created as a result of fusion of male and similarity, though the structure associated with
female gametes sexual reproduction are indeed very different
(b) The offsprings are affected by the external (iv) The post fertilization events include
environment gametogenesis and gamete transfer
(c) The offsprings are affected by the internal (v) In majority of the sexually reproducing organisms
physiology of one of the parents the gametes produced are morphologically
(d) None of the above distinct types, i. e., heterogametes.
24. The period of growth in plants before attaining the Which of the above statements are correct ?
sexual maturity is called : (a) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(a) Juvenile phase (b) Vegetative phase (b) (i), (iii) and (v)
(c) Gametic phase (d) Both (a) and (b) (c) (ii) and (iv)
25. Read the following statements : (d) (iii) and (iv)
(i) The vegetative phase is of same duration in 29. Which of the following is correct ?
different organisms (a) In plants both male and female reproductive
(ii) Clear-cut vegetative, reproductive and senescent structures can be present on the same plant or on
phases can be observed in monocarpic plants different plants
(iii) Bambusa differs from Strobilanthus kunthiana (b) In several fungi, the term homothallic is used to
(Neelakuranji) in the length of juvinile phase and denote the dioecious conditions
being monocarpic (c) Cucurbits and coconuts are dioecious
(iv) The end of juvenile/vegetative phase in (d) Papaya and date palm are monoecious
angiosperms is seen when they come to flower 30. Choose the odd one out w.r.t. monoecious plants :
(v) Sexual mode of reproduction is present in most (a) Papaya (b) Cucurbits
animals (c) Coconut (d) Maize
 746 NCERT Biology Booster

31. Zygospores are found in : (a) Seven (b) Three

(a) Gymnosperms (c) Five (d) Two
(b) Angiosperms 39. Select the odd one out w.r.t. external fertilization :
(c) Bryophytes and pteridophytes (a) Amphibians (b) Fishes
(d) Algae and fungi (c) Most algae (d) Spirogyra
32. A diploid plant body produces __________ gametes and 40. Read the following statements :
a haploid plant body produces _________ gametes. (i) Organisms exhibiting external fertilization show
(a) Haploid, haploid great synchrony between the sexes and release a
(b) Haploid, diploid large number of gametes
(c) Diploid, haploid (ii) A major disadvantage of external fertilization is
(d) Diploid, diploid that the offsprings are extremely vulnerable to
33. What is the chromosome number in the meiocytes of predators
human beings, fruit fly, Ophioglossum and Zea mays (iii) In gymnosperms male gametes reach egg with the
respectively ? help of water as a medium
(a) 46, 20, 1260, 8 (iv) Zygote is a vital link that ensures continuity of
(b) 46, 1260, 20, 8 species between organisms of one generation and
(c) 46, 8, 1260, 20 the next.
(d) 46, 8, 20, 1260 (v) Every sexually reproducing organisms begin their
life as a single-celled zygote
34. Which of the following organisms requires a medium
through which male gametes move ? Which of the above statements are correct ?
(a) Algae, bryophytes and gymnosperms (a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) Pteridophytes and angiosperms (b) (iii), (iv) and (v)
(c) Bryophytes and pteridophytes only (c) (i), (ii), (iv) and (v)
(d) Algae, bryophytes and pteridophytes (d) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
35. In bryophytes and pteridophytes male gametes 41. Choose the incorrect statement for external
produced are several thousand times the number of fertilization.
female gametes produced. This is : (a) It occurs in most algae
(a) To increase the chances of fertilization (b) In fishes and amphibians external fertilization occurs
(b) Due to the fact that many male gametes fail to (c) Organisms with external fertilization produce
reach the female gametes small number of male and female gametes
(c) To enhance the motility speed (d) All are incorrect
(d) More than one option is correct 42. Identify A and B and mention their ploidy :
36. Choose the odd one out w.r.t carriers of male gametes :
(a) Gymnosperms and angiosperms
(b) Algae
(c) Bryophytes B
(d) Pteridophytes A

37. The most vital event of sexual reproduction is :

(a) The development of gametes
(b) Fusion of gametes (a) A = Ovary, 2n; B = Ovule, 2n
(c) Fertilisation (b) A = Ovary, 2n; B = Ovule, 3n
(d) Both (b) and (c) (c) A = Ovary, n ; B = Ovule, 2n
38. How many of the structures given in the box are the (d) A = Ovary, n; B = Ovule, n
products of fertilization ?
43. What is the number of chromosomes in the
Conidia, Zygospore, Oospore, Oosphere, Zoospore, microsporocyte and megasporocyte of rice ?
Sperm, Ovum. (a) 24, 12 (b) 24, 24
(c) 20, 10 (d) 10, 20
 Reproduction in Organisms 747

44. Match the columns w.r.t. post fertilization changes : (c) Lower down the vigour and vitality of offsprings
(d) Create genetic variability in the furture offsprings
Column-I Column-II
for better adaptability in the adverse conditions
A. Ovary (i) Pericarp
49. Read the following statements :
B. Ovary wall (ii) Perisperm (i) The period from birth to the natural death of an
C. Ovule (iii) Fruit organism represents its life span
D. Nucellus (iv) Seed (ii) No individual is immortal, except single-celled
organisms
(a) A = (iii), B = (i), C = (iv), D = (ii)
(iii) Life spans of organisms are necessarily correlated
(b) A = (ii), B = (ii), C = (i), D = (iv) with the size
(c) A = (i), B = (iv), C = (iii), D = (ii) (iv) Small sized organisms have a short life compared
(d) A = (i), B = (iv), C = (ii), D = (iii) to the large sized organisms
Miscellaneous (v) Peepal tree has a shorter lifespan than mango tree
45. The factor(s) responsible for how organism reproduce Which of the above statements are correct ?
include : (a) (i) and (ii)
(a) Internal physiology (b) (iii) and (iv)
(b) Organism’s habitat (c) (iii), (iv) and (v)
(c) External environment (d) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(d) More than one option is correct 50. Which of the following is not essential for an organisms
46. Read the following statements : survival but for the survival of a species ?
(i) Asexual reproduction can occur with or without (a) Cellular respiration
the involvement of gamete formation (b) Growth
(ii) Asexual reproduction produces genetic variability (c) Nutrition
(iii) Sexual reproduction is universally uniparental (d) Reproduction
(iv) Sexual reproduction involves formation and 51. Which of the following statement is not incorrect ?
fusion of gametes (a) Endosperm formation in angiosperms is a post-
(v) Sexual reproduction, in comparison to asexual fertilization event and is diploid
reproduction, is a quick method of multiplication (b) Remains of nucellus in some seeds is called
Which of the above statements are correct ? endosperm
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii) (c) Endosperm is triploid in pteridophytes
(b) (i) and (iv) (d) Endosperm formation in gymnosperms is a
(c) (iv) and (v) pre-fertilization event and is haploid
(d) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) 52. Which of the following is absent in angiosperms but
47. Which of the following is correct ? present in pteridophytes ?
(a) Asexual reproduction is common mode of (a) Microsporocyte
reproduction in most of the animals (b) Megasporocyte
(b) In algae and fungi shift from asexual to sexual (c) Antherozoid mother cell
method of reproduction occur just before the onset (d) Microspore mother cell
of adverse conditions 53. Find out the true (T)/false (F) statements and choose
(c) Asexual method of reproduction is absent in higher the correct option :
plant I. During unfavourable condition, Amoeba
(d) All animals posses only sexual reproduction reproduce by multiple fission
48. In lower organisms like algae and fungi a shift from II. External budding is present in Hydra, Spongilla
asexual reproduction to sexual reproduction occurs and Sycon
before the onset of adverse condition. This is to : III. Estrous cycle is characteristics of mammalian
(a) Create genetic uniformity females other than primates
(b) Decrease the survival rate of offsprings
748 NCERT Biology Booster

IV. Transverse binary fission occurs in Paramoecium Opti

I II III IV
whereas in Euglena longitudinal binary fission ons
occurs F F T F
(a)

(b) T T T T

(c) F T F T

(d) T F T T

Answers (Section-A)

1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (b) 6. (d) 7. (d) 8. (d) 9. (d) 10. (b)
11. (d) 12. (a) 13. (a) 14. (c) 15. (c) 16. (a) 17. (d) 18. (d) 19. (a) 20. (c)
21. (c) 22. (c) 23. (a) 24. (d) 25. (a) 26. (d) 27. (a) 28. (b) 29. (a) 30. (a)
31. (d) 32. (a) 33. (c) 34. (d) 35. (d) 36. (a) 37. (d) 38. (d) 39. (d) 40. (c)
41. (c) 42. (a) 43. (b) 44. (a) 45. (d) 46. (b) 47. (b) 48. (d) 49. (a) 50. (d)
51. (d) 52. (c) 53. (d)
 Reproduction in Organisms 749

Section-B : Questions from NCERT Exemplar

1. A few statements describing certain features of
reproduction are given below :
(i) Gametic fusion takes place
(ii) Transfer of genetic material takes place
(iii) Reduction division takes place
(iv) Progeny have some resemblance with parents
Select the options that are true for both asexual and
sexual reproduction from the options given below :
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (iii)
2. The term ‘clone’ cannot be applied to offspring formed
by sexual reproduction because :
(a) Offspring do not possess exact copies of parental
DNA
(b) DNA of only one parent is copied and passed on to
the offspring
(c) Offsprings are formed at different times
(d) DNA of parent and offspring are completely
different
3. Asexual method of reproduction by binary fission is
common to which of the following ?
(i) Some eukaryotes
(ii) All eukaryotes
(iii) Some prokaryotes
(iv) All prokaryotes
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (i) and (iii) (d) (iii) and (iv)
4. A few statements with regard to sexual reproduction
are given below :
(i) Sexual reproduction does not always require two
individuals.
(ii) Sexual reproduction generally involves gametic
fusion.
(iii) Meiosis never occurs during sexual reproduction
(iv) External fertilisation is a rule during sexual
reproduction.
Choose the correct statements from the options below :
(a) (i) and (iv) (b) (i) and (ii)
(c) (ii) and (iii) (d) (i) and (iv)
5. A multicellular, filamentous alga exhibits a type of
sexual life cycle in which the meiotic division occurs
after the formation of zygote. The adult filament of this
alga has :
(a) Haploid vegetative cells and diploid gametangia
(b) Diploid vegetative cells and diploid gametangia
(c) Diploid vegetative cells and haploid gametangia
(d) Haploid vegetative cells and haploid gametangia
6. The male gametes of rice plant have 12 chromosomes
in their nucleus. The chromosome number in the
female gamete, zygote and the cells of the seedling will
be respectively :
(a) 12, 24, 12 (b) 24, 12, 12
(c) 12, 24, 24 (d) 24, 12, 24
7. Given below are a few statements related to external
fertilization. Choose the correct statements :
(i) The male and female gametes are formed and
released simultaneously.
(ii) Only a few gametes are released into the medium.
(iii) Water is the medium in a majority of organism
exhibiting external fertilization.
(iv) Offspring formed as a result of external
fertilization have better chance of survival than
those form inside an organism.
(a) (iii) and (iv) (b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (iv)
8. The statements given below describe certain features
observed in the pistil of flowers.
(i) Pistil may have many carpels.
(ii) Each carpel may have more than one ovule.
(iii) Each carpel has only one ovule.
(iv) Pistil have only one carpel.
Choose the statements that are true from the option
below :
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv) (d) (iii) and (iv)
9. Which of the following situations correctly describe the
similarity between an angiosperm egg and a human
egg ?
(i) Eggs of both are formed only once in a lifetime.
(ii) Both the angiosperm egg and human egg are
stationary.
(iii) Both the angiosperm egg and human egg are
motile and transported.
(iv) Syngamy in both results in the formation of zygote.
Choose the correct answer from the option given
below:
(a) (ii) and (iv) (b) (iv) only
(c) (iii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (iv)
 750 NCERT Biology Booster

10. Appearance of vegetative propagules from the nodes of
plants such as sugarcane and ginger is mainly because :
(a) Nodes are shorter than internodes
(b) Nodes have meristematic cells
(c) Nodes are located near the soil
(d) Nodes have non-photosynthetic cells
11. Which of the following statements, support the view
that elaborate sexual reproductive process appeared
much later in the organic evolution ?
(i) Lower groups of organisms have simpler body
design
(ii) Asexual reproduction is common in lower groups
(iii) Asexual reproduction is common in higher groups
of organisms
(iv) The high incidence of sexual reproduction in
angiosperms and vertebrates
Choose the correct answer from the options given
below :
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii) (b) (i), (iii) and (iv)
(c) (i), (ii) and (iv) (d) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
12. Offspring formed by sexual reproduction exhibit more
variation than those formed by asexual reproduction
because :
(a) Sexual reproduction is a lengthy process
(b) Gametes of parents have qualitatively different
genetic composition
(c) Genetic material comes from parents of two
different species
(d) Greater amount of DNA is involved in sexual
reproduction
13. Choose the correct statements from amongst the
following :
(a) Dioecious organisms are seen only in animals
(b) Dioecious organisms are seen only in plants
(c) Dioecious organisms are seen in both plants and
animals
(d) Dioecious organisms are seen only in vertebrates
14. There is no natural death in single celled organisms like
Amoeba and bacteria because :
(a) They cannot reproduce sexually
(b) They reproduce by binary fission
(c) Parental body is distributed among the offspring
(d) They are microscopic
15. There are various types of reproduction. The type of
reproduction adopted by an organism depends on :
(a) The habitat and morphology of the organism
(b) Morphology of the organism
(c) Morphology and physiology of the organism
(d) The organism’s habitat, physiology and genetic
makeup.
16. Identify the incorrect statement.
(a) In asexual reproduction, the offspring produced
are morphologically and genetically identical to
the parent
(b) Zoospores are sexual reproductive structures
(c) In asexual reproduction, a single parent produces
offspring with or without the formation of gametes
(d) Conidia are asexual structures in Penicillium.
17. Which of the following is a post-fertilisation event in
flowering plants ?
(a) Transfer of pollen grains
(b) Embryo development
(c) Formation of flower
(d) Formation of pollen grains
18. The number of chromosomes in the shoot tip cells of a
maize plant is 20. The number of chromosomes in the
microspore mother cells of the same plant shall be :
(a) 20 (b) 10
(c) 40 (d) 15

Answers (Section-B)
1. (c) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (b) 5. (d) 6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (b)
11. (c) 12. (b) 13. (c) 14. (c) 15. (d) 16. (b) 17. (b) 18. (a)
 Reproduction in Organisms 751

Section-C : Assertion-Reason Type Questions

Instructions :
1. If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion then mark (a).
2. If both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion, then mark (b).
3. If assertion is true but reason is false, then mark (c).
4. If both assertion and reason are false statements then mark (d).

1. A: In apomixis, the plants of new genetic sequences 11. A: Conidia, the asexual spore is produced by all fungi.
are produced. R: Gemmule formation is common in Marchantia.
R: In apomixis, two individuals of same genetic 12. A: All perrenial plants are polycarpic.
sequences meet. R: Bambusa is a polycarpic plant.
2. A: Many plants are propagated vegetatively even 13. A: Oestrus cycle occur in non-primate mammals
though they bear seed. whereas menstrual cycle occur in primates like
R: Potatoes multiply by tubers and apple by cutting. humans, monkeys and apes.
3. A: Binary fission yield clones. R: Females of placental mammals exhibit cyclical
R: Binary fission produces genetically similar changes in the activities of ovaries and hormones
progenies. during reproductive phase.
4. A: Eichhornia is “Terror of Bengal”. 14. A: In fungi, homothallic species are bisexual whereas
R: It depletes oxygen from water body which causes heterothallic species are unisexual.
fish mortality. R: Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually.
5. A: Algae and fungi reproduces asexually only. 15. A: Cucurbits and coconuts are monoecious plants.
R: Algae and fungi lacks sexual reproduction. R: Cucurbits and coconuts bear unisexual flowers.
6. A: Isogamy occurs in majority of the organisms. 16. A: Papaya and date palm undergo self-pollination.
R: Isogametes are morphologically distinct. R: These plants possess bisexual flowers.
7. A: Algae, fishes and amphibians show external 17. A: A haploid plant cannot produce gametes.
fertilization. R: A haploid plant lacks meiosis in its life cycle.
R: Bryophytes show internal fertilization. 18. A: The primary spermatocyte of Drosophila (fruit fly)
8. A: Asexual mode of reproduction is faster than sexual has eight chromosomes.
mode of reproduction. R: The primary spermatocyte of Drosophila is haploid.
R: Asexual reproduction brings about variation. 19. A: The most vital event of sexual reproduction is
9. A: Majority of the bisexual animals reproduce by cross- syngamy.
fertilization. R: Syngamy results in zygote formation.
R: Sexual reproduction plays an important role in 20. A: Majority of the animals possess internal
evolution. fertilization.
10. A: Yeast commonly reproduces sexually by budding. R: In majority of the animals fertilization occurs inside
R: Yeast is a multicellular fungi. the body.

Answers (Section-C)

1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (a) 5. (d) 6. (d) 7. (b) 8. (c) 9. (b) 10. (d)
11. (d) 12. (d) 13. (b) 14. (b) 15. (b) 16. (d) 17. (d) 18. (c) 19. (a) 20. (a)
 752 NCERT Biology Booster

Section-D : Brainstormer

1. Find the wrong match :

(a) ‘Eye’ of potato — Axillary bud A B C
(b) Underground reduced — Bulb Self-fertilisation Cross-fertilisation Fertilisation
(a)
disc shaped stem
(c) Grafting — Cambium containing (b) Cross-fertilisation Cross-fertilisation Fertilisation

eustelic plants (c) Self-fertilisation Self-fertilisation Fertilisation

(d) Turion — Most terrestrial
(d) Cross-fertilisation Self-fertilisation Fertilisation
plants
2. Which of the following plant can be propagated by leaf 6. Choose the wrong statement :
cutting?
(a) Zoospore may be haploid or diploid
(a) Tamarindus
(b) Zygospore is zygote
(b) Sansevieria (c) Zoospore is usually covered with cell wall
(c) Citrus (d) Zygote may be motile or non-motile
(d) Bougainvillea 7. Identify A, B, C and D in the table :
3. Read the following statements :
(i) During grafting, stock is placed over scion Plant Gametic Embryo
Types of gametes
group fusion formation
(ii) Gootee is commonly performed in rose
(iii) In Rhizopus oogamy occurs Bryophyte Heterogametes A Present
(iv) The sex organs in Chara are exceptionally Algae B Internal or C
external
multicelled and jacketed
(v) In most of the fungi and few algae, both male and Gymnosper- Heterogametes D Present
ms
female gametes are motile
How many of the above statements are correct ? A B C D
(a) Four (b) Two
(a) Internal Heterogamete Absent Internal
(c) Three (d) One or isogamete
4. Identify A, B and C for rice, bamboo and mango : Internal Isogamete Absent External
(b)
Rice : Juvinile ® (A) ® Senescent phase
Bamboo : Juvinile ® (B) ® Senescent phase (c) External Heterogamete Present Internal
Mango : Juvinile ® Flowering ® (C) ® Flowering ® (d) External Heterogamete Absent Internal
Senescent phase or isogamete

A B C 8. Asexual spores are absent in which of the following

(a) Interflowering Flowering Interflowering plant groups ?
(a) Bryophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms
(b) Flowering Flowering Interflowering
(b) Algae and fungi
(c) Flowering Flowering Senescent (c) Pteridophytes, algae and bryophytes
Senescent Senescent Interflowering (d) Gymnosperms, fungi and algae
(d)
9. Polygamous plant :
5. Fill in the blanks : (a) Bear bisexual as well as unisexual flowers on the
(i) Endogamy is A same plant
(ii) Exogamy is B (b) Is exmplified by mango and litchi
(iii) Syngamy is C (c) Bear bisexual and unisexual flowers on different
plants
(d) More than one option is correct
 Reproduction in Organisms 753

10. Identify the correct statement : (c) Pistia propagates by stolon

(a) Fucus, a brown algae performs isogamy (d) Vivipary is common in mango and litchi
(b) Propagation of organisms occur rapidly in
apomixis than in amphimixis

Answers (Section-D)

1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (a) 6. (c) 7. (a) 8. (a) 9. (d) 10. (b)
754 NCERT Biology Booster

Section-E : Latest Previous Years Questions

1. Mango and guava are propagated through : 10. Artificial vegetative reproduction through cutting of
(a) Tissue culture (b) Grafting roots is carried out in :
(c) Stem cuttings (d) Layering (a) Lemon and Rose
2. Axenic culture is : (b) Rose and Hibiscus
(a) Culture of tissue (c) Tamarind and Chrysanthemum
(b) Culture of genes (d) Lemon and Tamarind
(c) Pure culture without contamination 11. A scion is grafted on a stock. Quality of fruits produced
(d) Pure culture of microbe without any external will depend upon genotype of :
nutrient (a) Scion (b) Stock
3. Out of the following which two methods yield (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these
genetically similar plants : (i) Stem cutting, (ii) Seed 12. Which of the following groups of plants are propagated
production, (iii) Mutation, (iv) Tissue culture. through underground root ?
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii) (a) Bryophyllum and Kalanchoe
(c) (i) and (iv) (d) (ii) and (iv) (b) Ginger, potato, onion and zamikand
4. In tissue culture, callus can be induced to form shoot or (c) Pistia, Chrysanthemum and pineapple
root by altering the ratio of : (d) Sweet potato, Asparagus, tapioca and dahlia
(a) Auxin to cytokinin 13. Grafting is not successful is monocots but is successful
(b) Cytokinin to ethylene in dicots because they have :
(c) Auxin to gibberellin (a) Vascular bundles arranged in a ring
(d) Gibberellin to cytokinin (b) Cambium for secondary growth
5. Explant is : (c) Vessels with elements arranged end to end
(a) A small part of plant for tissue culture (d) Cork cambium
(b) Exploited part of plant 14. Which of the following is not functionally analogous
(c) Harvested plant with other in the group?
(d) Uprooted part for transplantation (a) Antheridium (b) Archegonium
6. Callus is : (c) Oogonium (d) Ovule
15. Transverse binary fission occurs in :
(a) Material that heals injury in phloem
(a) Euglena (b) Amoeba
(b) Undifferentiated mass of cells
(c) Hydra (d) Paramecium
(c) Tissue developed in the region of wound
16. During favourable condition the encysted amoeba
(d) All of the above
divides by multiple fission and produces pseudo-
7. Development of haploid plants from totipotent pollen
is called : podiospores. The phenomenon is known as :
(a) Androgenesis (b) Parthenocarpy (a) Budding (b) Sporulation
(c) Emasculation (d) Somatic hybridization (c) Fragmentation (d) Regeneration
17. A hybrid where the cytoplasm of two parental cells are
8. Stem cuttings are commonly used in propagation of : fused by retaining only one parental nucleus is called:
(a) Mango (b) Cotton (a) Asymmetric somatic hybrid
(b) Cybrid
(c) Rose (d) Banana
(c) An interbred
9. In which one pair both the plants can be vegetatively
(d) Symmetric somatic hybrid
propagated by leaf segments ?
18. Cellular totipotency is demonstrated by:
(a) Agave and Kalanchoe
(a) Only gymnospermous cells
(b) Bryophyllum and Kalanchoe (b) All plant cells
(c) Asparagus and Bryophyllum (c) All eukaryotic cells
(d) Chrysanthemum and Agave (d) All bacterial cells
 Reproduction in Organisms 755

19. Vegetative propagation in Mint occurs by :

(a) Stolon (b) Runner
(c) Offset (d) Rhizome B
20. Hydra repdroduces by budding. This is an example of :
(a) Asexual reproduction A
(b) Sexual reproduction
(c) Regeneration
(d) Parthenocarpy
21. In grafting, stock is :
(a) Stem of desired variety
(b) Bud of desired variety C
(c) Part of rooted plant
(d) Part to be grafted
22. Identify the correct statement : D
(a) Because of marked climatic variations, plants
growing near the sea shore do not produce annual
rings
(b) The age of the plant can be determined by its
height
(c) Grafting is difficult in monocot plants as they have
A B C D
scattered vascular bundles
(d) Healing of damaged tissue is because of activity of (a) Rhizome Sporangiophore Polar cell Globule
sclerenchyma cells (b) Runner Archegoniophore Synergid Antheridium
23. Micropropagation is a technique for production of :
(c) Offset Antheridiophore Antipodals Oogonium
(a) True to type plants
(b) Haploid plants (d) Sucker Seta Megaspore Gemma cup
(c) Somatic hybrids mother cell
(d) Somaclonal plants 27. Vegetative propagation by leaves is found in :
24. Find out wrongly matched pair : (a) Albizzia lebbek
(a) Tuber — Potato (b) Dalbergia sissoo
(b) Leaf buds — Banana (c) Bryophyllum diagremontianum
(c) Offsets — Water Hyacinth
(d) Murraya sp.
(d) Rhizome — Ginger 28. Natural parthenogenesis occurs in :
(e) Bulbil — Agave (a) Drosophila (b) Housefly
25. Which is not an example of vegetative propagule in (c) Honey bee (d) All of these
angiosperms ?
29. Common between vegetative reproduction and
(a) Zoospores of Chlamydomonas apomixis is :
(b) Eyes of Potato (a) Both applicable to dicots
(c) Rhizome of Ginger (b) Both bypass flowering phase
(d) Bulbil of Agave (c) Both occur around the year
26. Examine the figures (A-D) given below and select the (d) Both produce progeny identical to parent
right option in which all the four structures are
30. Which is wrongly matched :
identified correctly :
(a) Agave — Bulbils
(b) Penicillium — Conidia
(c) Water Hyacinth — Runner
(d) Bryophyllum — Leaf buds
 756 NCERT Biology Booster

31. A clone is : (c) Conidia

(a) A group of genetically similar organisms produced (d) Gemmule
as a result of asexual reproduction 38. Megaspores are produced from megaspore mother cells
(b) A group of genetically similar organisms produced after :
through sexual reproduction (a) Formation of thick walls
(c) A group of genetically dissimilar organisms (b) Differentiation
produced as a result of aseuxal reproduction (c) Meiotic division
(d) A group of genetically dissimilar organisms (d) Mitotic division
produced as a result of sexual reproduction 39. Syngamy can occur outside the body of organisms in :
32. Bacteria, fungi and lower plants survive during adverse (a) Algae (b) Ferns
conditions by : (c) Fungi (d) Mosses
(a) Suspended growth 40. Match the following and choose the correct
(b) Migration combination :
(c) Diapause
Column-I Column-II
(d) Formation of thick-walled spores
(Name) (Chromosome no.)
33. Which one is common to multicellular fungi,
filamentous algae and protonema of mosses : A. Housefly (i) 20
(a) Diplontic life cycle B. Fruitfly (ii) 34
(b) Members of kingdom plantae C. Apple (iii) 8
(c) Multiplication by fragmentation D. Maize (iv) 12
(d) Mode of nutrition
34. Find out correct order of vegetative propagules of (a) A = (i), B = (ii), C = (iii), D = (iv)
plants like Potato, Ginger, Agave, Bryophyllum and (b) A = (ii), B = (iii), C = (iv), D = (i)
Water Hyacinth : (c) A = (iii), B = (iv), C = (ii), D = (i)
(a) Offset, bulbil, leaf bud, rhizome and eyes (d) A = (iv), B = (iii), C = (ii), D = (i)
(b) Leaf bud, bulbil, offset, rhizome and eyes 41. Process of sexual reproduction which involves meiosis
(c) Eyes, rhizome, bulbil, leaf buds and offset and syngamy is :
(d) Rhizome, bulbil, leaf bud, eyes and offset (a) Apomixis (b) Amphimixis
(c) Agamospermy (d)Diplospory
(e) Offset, bulbil leaf bud, rhizome and eyes
42. Adventitious buds at the leaf notches help to propagate
35. Why is asexual reproduction sometimes
the plant of :
disadvantageous ?
(a) Potato (b) Agave
(a) It allows sedentary animals to produce offspring
without mates (c) Bryophyllum (d) Cactus
43. Gametogenesis refers to the process of :
(b) It allows animals to produce many offspring
quickly (a) Fusion of two gametes
(c) It saves times and energy of gamete formation (b) Fusion of two gametangia
(d) It produces genetically uniform population (c) Formation of two types of gametes
36. Monoecious plant of Chara shows occurrence of : (d) Formation of male gametes only
(a) Upper oogonium and lower antheridium on the 44. Zygote is formed by the process of :
same plant (a) Isogamy (b) Anisogamy
(b) Antheridiophore and archegoniophore on the same (c) Oogamy (d) Syngamy
plant 45. Life span of Parrot is :
(c) Stamen and carpel on the same plant (a) 15 years (b) 50 years
(d) Upper antheridium and lower oogonium on the (c) 25 years (d) 140 years
same plant 46. Marchantia is considered heterothallic because it is :
37. Meiosis occur in : (a) Heterogametic (b) Bisexual
(a) Megaspore (c) Monoecious (d) Dioecious
(b) Meiocyte
 Reproduction in Organisms 757

47. Match the columns and choose the appropriate option : (a) Ectocarpus (b) Ulothrix
(c) Spirogyra (d) Sargassum
Column-I Column-II
52. To obtain virus-free healthy plants from a diseased one
A. Rhizome (i) Agave by tissue culture technique, which part/parts of the
B. Offset (ii) Bryophyllum diseased plant will be taken?
C. Sucker (iii) Ginger (a) Epidermis only
D. Leaf buds (iv) Chysanthemum
(b) Apical meristem only
(c) Palisade parenchyma
(v) Eichhornia
(d) Both apical and axillary meristems
(a) A = (iii), B = (iv), C = (i), D = (ii) 53. Male gametophyte with least number of cells is present
(b) A = (iv), B = (v), C = (ii), D = (iii) in :
(a) Pinus (b) Pteris
(c) A = (iii), B = (v), C = (iv), D = (ii)
(c) Funaria (d)Lilium
(d) A = (ii), B = (i), C = (v), D = (iv)
54. Which one of the following statements is not correct ?
48. The motile reproductive structures of algae and fungi, (a) In potato, banana and ginger, the plantlets arise
which directly give rise to new individuals are called : from the internodes present in the modified stem
(a) Zygospores (b) Zoospores (b) Water hyacinth, growing in the standing water,
(c) Cysts (d) Conidia drains oxygen from water that leads to the death of
49. Which one of the following is wrong about Chara? fishes
(a) Globule and nucule present on the same plant (c) Offsprings produced by the asexual reproduction
(b) Upper antheridium and lower oogonium are called clone
(d) Microscopic, motile asexual reproductive
(c) Globule is male reproductive structure
structures are called zoospores
(d) Upper oogonium and lower round antheridium
55. Offsets are produced by :
50. Planaria possesses high capacity of :
(a) Meiotic divisions (b) Mitotic divisions
(a) Regeneration
(c) Parthenocarpy (d) Parthenogenesis
(b) Alternation of generations
56. Which of the following flowers only once in its
(c) Bioluminescence life-time?
(d) Metamorphosis (a) Bamboo species (b) Jackfruit
51. Which one of the following shows isogamy with non- (c) Mango (d) Papaya
flagellated gametes?

Answers (Section-E)

1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (a) 6. (d) 7. (a) 8. (c) 9. (b) 10. (d)
11. (a) 12. (d) 13. (b) 14. (a) 15. (d) 16. (b) 17. (b) 18. (b) 19. (a) 20. (a)
21. (c) 22. (c) 23. (a) 24. (b) 25. (a) 26. (c) 27. (c) 28. (c) 29. (d) 30. (c)
31. (a) 32. (d) 33. (c) 34. (c) 35. (d) 36. (a) 37. (b) 38. (c) 39. (a) 40. (d)
41. (b) 42. (c) 43. (c) 44. (d) 45. (d) 46. (d) 47. (c) 48. (b) 49. (b) 50. (a)
51. (c) 52. (d) 53. (d) 54. (a) 55. (b) 56. (a)
 758 NCERT Biology Booster
Hints
Section-A
2. (b) In protists and monerans which are unicellular,
cell divides (e. g ., binary fission) to produce
daughter cells/progenies.
5. (b) Rhizome, sucker, tuber, offset and bulb are
vegetative propagules so, involves only one
parent.
16. (a) Both Solanum tuberosum (potato) and Saccharum
(sugarcane) undergo vegetative propagation by
stem. Rose propagates vegetatively by stem.
Dahlia and sweet potato propagate vegetatively by
root.
19. (a) ‘Terror of Bengal’, i. e., Eichhornia is found in
stagnant water but not in running water.
25. (a) Bombusa differs from Strobilanthus in the length
of juvinile phase (The juvinile phase of Bombusa is
more than Strobilanthus). But both Bambusa and
Strobilanthus are monocarpic.
26. (d) A clear cut vegetative, reproductive and senescent
phase are observed in monocarpic plants as these
have single and distinct vegetative, reproductive
and senescent phases. All annuals and biennials
Section-B
5. (d) Since, zygotic meiosis occurs so, the organism has
haplontic life cycle and thereby haploid body.
Thus, the adult filament of this alga has haploid
vegetative cell and haploid gametangia.
6. (c) Male gamete ( n ) = 12
Female gamete ( n ) = 12
Zygote ( 2n ) = 24
Cells of seedling ( 2n ) = 24
8. (a) Pistil/gynoecium may have one or more carpels.
9. (b) Eggs of angiosperms and humans are formed
many times in the life.
Section-C
1. (d) Apomixis involves asexual reproduction so, new
genetic sequences are not produced.
6. (d) Oogamy occurs in majority of the organisms.
11. (d) Conidia is produced by fungi belonging to the
class Ascomycetes.
12. (d) Some perennial plants like Bombusa, Agave etc.
are monocarpic.
are monocarpic. Few perennials are also
monocarpic.
30. (a) Papaya is dioecious.
35. (d) Options (a) and (b) are correct.
38. (d) Zygospore and oospore are types of zygotes so,
product of fertilisation.
Conidia and zoospores are asexual spores.
Oosphere (egg/ovum) and sperm are gametes.
39. (d) Spirogyra though an alga, performs internal
fertilisation as a result of conjugation method.
43. (b) Microsporocyte or microspore mother cell and
megasporocyte or megaspore mother cell are
diploid. The diploid number of rice is 24.
47. (b) The shift from asexual to sexual method of
reproduction occur just before the onset of
adverse conditions so as to bring genetic
variations in the offsprings for better adaptability.
53. (d) External budding is present in Hydra. Internal
budding is present in Spongilla (freshwater
sponge) and Sycon (marine water sponge).
The term ‘stationary’ in statement (ii) means not
transported, which is true for angiosperm egg but
not for human egg.
14. (c) The parental body gets distributed among the
offsprings and no body part of the parent is left to
die.
16. (b) Zoospores are asexual structures.
18. (a) Shoot tip cell ( 2n ) = 20
Microspore mother cell ( 2n ) = 20
16. (d) Papaya and date palm are dioecious so, undergo
cross-pollination.
17. (d) A haploid plant produce gametes by mitosis.
18. (c) The primary spermatocyte ( 2n ) of Drosophila has
eight chromosomes.

Section-D
1. (d) Turion are fleshy buds common in aquatic plants,
e.g., Potamogeton.
3. (d) Only statement (iv) is correct.
4. (b) Rice and bamboo are monocarpic so, will have
distinct juvinile, flowering (reproductive) and
senescent phase.
Mango is polycarpic so, will also have
interflowering phase also.
5. (a) Syngamy means fertilisation. In endogamy (self-
fertilisation), the two fusing gametes belong to
same individual. In exogamy (cross-fertilisation),
the two fusing gametes belong to different
individuals.
Reproduction in Organisms 759
6. (c) Zoospore is usually naked.
8. (a) Bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and
angiosperms lack asexual spores (mitospores).
9. (d) Options (a) and (b) are correct.
10. (b) Fucus, performs oogamy. Apomixis (asexual
reproduction) involves fast reproduction than
amphimixis (sexual reproduction). Pistia
propagates by offset. Vivipary, i. e., germination of
seed within the fruit while the fruit is still attached
to the mother plant. Vivipary is common in
mangrove plants like Rhizophora.