Reproduction - The biological process in which every living organism give birth to young ones of their

own kind is known as reproduction.

There are two types of reproduction asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction.
Asexual reproduction
• Involves only a single parent.
• The entire reproduction process takes less time and less energy.
• Population can increase at faster rate.
• It involves less variation.
• That species is very vulnerable to change in environment.
• This does not leave to evolution.
Eg. Amoeba
Sexual Reproduction
• Involves two parents.
• The process takes longer time and more energy.
• Population in pieces relatively slower.
• It involves more variation.
• Species can adapt to an environment which changes.
• This leads to evolution.
Eg. Humans
Asexual Reproduction
1. Fission ( binary, multiple)
2. Budding
3. Spore formation
4. Fragmentation
5. Regeneration
6. Vegetative propagation ( natural [root ,stem, leaf], artificial [ cutting, grafting, layering]
Binary fission – division or splitting of one cell into two. In binary fission one unicellular organism
devides into two unicellular organisms. Eg. Amoeba
Multiple fission- division or splitting of one cell into many. Eg. Plasmodium
Budding- a new organism develops from an outgrowth or bud. Eg. Hydra
Spore formation- parent plant generate thousands of spores which individually grow in a plant. Eg.
Rhizopus
Fragmentation- a fragment of the parent breaks off and developes into an entirely new but genetically
identical individual. There is no regenerative cells present as such. Eg. Spirogyra
Regeneration- Regeneration is one of the processes in which if an organism is cut into several pieces,
each of its parts regrows to the original state. They have specialized regenerative cells. Eg. Planaria
flatworm
Vegetative propagation- A new plant grows from a fragment or cutting of the parent plant. This is
divided into two parts.
1. Natural – In this reproduction takes place in natural ways.
a) By Root – sweet potato
b) By stem – potato
C) By leaves – bryophyllum
2. Artificial – In this reproduction takes place by artificial ways.
a) cutting – rose
b) grafting – mango
c) layering – jasmine
Advantages –
1. True to type- each is a clone of the parent. Only way for some varieties. Eg. Variegation
2. Uniformity- each will be exactly the same.
3. The only way to reproduce sterile varieties such as thompson’s seedless.
4. Speed to maturity is much quicker.
Disadvantages-
1. Little chance of a new variety arising. Monoculture are susceptible to disease.
2. Cost- requires skilled labour and aftercare.
3. Time- each plant has to be individually propagated.
Sexual Reproduction in Plants
Fertilization – the fusion of male and female gametes to form zygote is known as fertilization.
Sepal – it is the outermost part of the hibiscus flower. Its function is to perform the process of
photosynthesis and to provide support to the inner parts and it also act as a protective cover when the
flower was bud. The group of sepal is known as calyx.
Petal – It is the colourful part of the flower. Its function is to attract insects with the help of its fragrance
and nector. It also support the inner parts of the flower.
Carpel – It is the female part of the plant. It consist of stigma, style, ovary.
Stamen – It is the male part of the plant. It consist of anther and filament.
Sexual reproduction in plant is done in two steps.
• Pollination – The transfer of pollen grain from anther to stigma is called pollination.
Pollination can be done is two ways self pollination and cross pollination.
• Fertilization - the fusion of male gamete (pollen grain) and female gamete (ovary).
Seed germination – it is the process by which a new plant grows from a seed. It is consist of cotyledon
( food store), plumule ( future shoot), radicle ( future root)
Sexual reproduction in Humans
Male Reproductive system – The male reproductive system consists of a number of sex organs that play
a role in the process of human reproduction. These organs are located on the outside of the body and
within the pelvis. The main male sex organs are the penis and the testicles which produce semen and
sperm, which, as part of sexual intercourse, fertilize an ovum in the female’s body; the fertilized ovum
(zygote) develops into a fetus, which is later born as an infant.
Penis – It is the external male reproductive organ which additionally serves as a urinal duct.
Vas deferens – It is a tube like structure which is connected to the urethra. Its function is to transfer
sperms from testies to the urethra.
Testies – Male gamete is present in testies. Its function is to produce both sperm and testosterone which
are the male hormones.
Seminal vesicles – The seminal vesicles are a pair of two convoluted tubular glands. Its function is to
produce semen for the nourishment of the sperm.
Female Reproductive system - The female reproductive system is made up of the internal and external
sex organs that function in reproduction of new offspring.
Vagina – The vagina is a fibromuscular canal leading from the outside of the body to the cervix of the
uterus.
Cervix – The cervix is the neck of the uterus, the lower, narrow portion where it joins with the upper part
of the vagina.
Uterus – The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ. The uterus provides protection,
nutritional support, and waste removal for the developing embryo and fetus.
Fallopian tube – The Fallopian tubes are two tubes leading from the ovaries into the uterus.
Ovary – The ovaries are small, paired organs. These organs are responsible for the production of the egg
cells (ova) and the secretion of hormones.