Reproduction

1) Is reproduction necessary?
Ans: Reproduction is necessary for continuity of life.
It is the process by which new organisms are produced.
2) Do organisms reproduce exact copies of themselves?
Ans: The DNA in the cell is the information source for making protein.
DNA copying is accompanied by the creation of an additional cellular apparatus,
and then the DNA copies separate, each with its own cellular apparatus.
A biochemical reaction is not completely reliable and thus the copying of DNA will
have some variation.
As a result, the DNA copies generated will be similar, but may not be identical to
the original.
3) Write the importance of variation?
Ans: Niches (the place in an ecology) can change because of reasons beyond the control of
the organism and thus the variation in organism is necessary for survival.
For eg – If there were a particular population of bacteria living in temperate waters,
and if the water temperature where to be increased by global warmin, most of the bacteria
would die, but the few variation resistant to heat would survive and grow further.
4) What is the importance of DNA copying in reproduction?
Ans: I) DNA copying is an important phenomenon of reproduction through which the
organisms pass on their characteristics to their offspring.
II) It also produces variation which are useful for the survival of species for long time.
5) Why is variation beneficial to the species but not necessary for the individual?
Ans : Accumulation of variation after several generation results in new set of traits required
for survival. As they show results after many generation, so they are not important for an
individual.
6) Activity 8.1
I) We will observe budding in yeast.
II) In bread we will see spore formation aasexual reproduction in fungi – rhizopus.
7) What are the two modes of reproduction?
Ans: I) Asexual reproduction –
a) One parent is involved.
b) Exact copies of themselves.
c) Variations are not seen.
II) Sexual reproduction –
a) Two parents are involved.
b) Don’t make the exact copies of themselves.
c) Variation are seen, because two parents are involved.
8) Fill in the blanks :
I) Copying of DNA is a biochemical reaction.
II) Accumulation of DNA overall prolonged period of time can eventually lead to
evolution.
III) DNA present in cell nucleus helps to form protein.
IV) Improper copying of DNA leads to variation.
 V) Single celled organism reproduce by asexual mode of reproduction.
Asexual reproduction in animals
9) Fission – It is found in unicellular organism such as amoeba, paramecium, leishmania etc.
Parents cell may divide into two daughter cells (binary fission) and many daughter cells
(multiple fission).
Types of binary fission –
I) Irregular – Example – amoeba.

II) Longitudinal – Example – Euglena.

III) Transverse – Example – Paramecium.

IV) Multiple fission – Can be seen in amoeba during unfavourable conditions.

Amoeba in unfavourable conditions make many nucleus. It creates cyst wall and
cyst wall breaks forming many daughter cells.

10) Fragmentation –
Organisms break up into smaller pieces upon maturation.
Each piece grows into an independent Organism. For example
- Spirogyra.
11) Regeneration – When cut into pieces each fragment of some organisms grows into an
individual organism. For example – Hydra, Planaria, starfish etc.
More than being a mode of reproduction, regeneration is considered to be a
mechanism by which some organisms can restore lost body part.
For example – The tail of lizard has regeneration capacity, human liver has a regeneration
capacity.
12) Write the difference between fragmentation and regeneration?
Ans : Fragmentation Regeneration
I) Fragmentation occurs by cells, Regeneration specially occurs

Specially in unicellular organisms. Occurs in complex organisms.

II) It always results in a new It may or may not result in

Organism. New organism.

13) Budding –
Regenerative cells are used to form a bud which develops into an adult organism. For
example – hydra, yeast etc.
14) Spore formation – Spores are structures that can eventually develop into new organism. For
example – fungi, some plants.
Spore formation can be seen in Rhizopus ( bread mould ). When sporangia burst it
comes to the surface and new individual develops.
 Asexual reproduction in plants
15) What is vegetative reproduction or propagation?
Ans : The mode of reproduction in plants by which vegetative plant parts like root, stem,
leaves etc. Develop in to new plants under appropriate conditions, is known as vegetative
propagation. For example – Bryophyllum , from it's leaves new plants grow.
16) How many types of vegetative reproduction are there? Name them.
Ans : Two types –
I) Natural vegetative reproduction – example – Bryophyllum.
II) Artificial vegetative reproduction.
17) How many types of artificial vegetative reproduction are there? Name them and explain
them with examples .
Ans: I) Grafting – Parts of two or more desirable plants are cut and joined together, so that
they appear to grow as single plant. For eg – apple, peach, mango etc.
II) Layering – A portion of an above – ground stem grows roots while still attached to the
parent plant, and then detaches as an independent plant. For eg – climbing roses,
rhododendron, honeysuckle.
III) Cutting – A piece of stem or root is placed in moist soil. The piece develops roots and
grows into an individual plant. For example – rose, pineapple, sugarcane etc.
18) Write the advantages of vegetative propagation.
Ans: I) Such plants can bear flowers and fruits much easier than those plants raised by
seeds.
II) Even plants that cannot produce seeds ( example – banana, rose, jasmine etc) can be
propagated by this method.
III) All daughter plants are genetically so similar to the parent plant that they exhibit all the
parent characteristics.
19) Activity 8.5
Wherever there are buds, new potato plants will be grown.
Potato is a stem where seeds are stored.
20) Activity 8.6
Roots will grow from the money plant. Without seeds also plants can produce their
offsprings.
21) Write about Tissue culture.
Ans: In tissue culture new plants are grown by removing tissues or separating cells from the
growing tip of the plant. The cells are then placed into an artificial medium where they
divide rapidly to form a small group of cells or callus. The callus is transferred to another
medium containing hormones for growth and differentiation. The plantlets are then placed
in the soil, so that they can grow into mature plants.
Using tissue culture, many plants can be grown from one parent in disease-free
conditions. This technique is commonly used for ornamental plants.