Chapter 8: How Do Organisms Reproduce?
How Do Organisms Reproduce?
Before understanding how organisms reproduce, it's important to ask:
Why do organisms reproduce?
Unlike life processes such as nutrition, respiration, or excretion, reproduction is not
necessary for the survival of a single individual. An organism can live its full life without
reproducing. However, reproduction does require a lot of energy and effort. So, why do
organisms go through it?
The answer lies in the fact that reproduction is essential for the survival of the species.
Without reproduction, no new individuals would be born, and that kind of organism would
eventually disappear.
Why do we notice organisms around us?
We usually notice a species (like birds, plants, or insects) because there are many
individuals of the same kind. If there were only one organism of a particular type and it did
not reproduce, we might not even notice it exists. The presence of many similar individuals
is what makes a species visible and recognizable.
How do we know two organisms belong to the same species?
We often say two organisms are of the same species because they look similar and can
reproduce to give similar offspring. This similarity is passed from parents to their children
through reproduction.
Summary:
● Reproduction is not essential for individual survival but is crucial for the
continuation of a species.
● Organisms reproduce to create new individuals of the same kind.
● Reproducing organisms pass on their characteristics to the next generation.
● This helps maintain the population and visibility of a species.
Do Organisms Create Exact Copies of Themselves?
Organisms often look similar to their parents because their body designs are similar. For
this to happen, the blueprints (instructions) for building their bodies must also be similar.
What is this blueprint?
The blueprint for body design is stored in a molecule called DNA (Deoxyribonucleic
Acid), which is found in the chromosomes inside the nucleus of a cell.
DNA carries all the genetic information needed to build and run the body, including
making proteins.
What happens during reproduction?
● During reproduction, DNA must be copied.
● This is done by the cell using chemical reactions to make an exact copy of the DNA.
● After copying, the cell divides to give rise to two new cells, each getting a copy of the
DNA along with a complete set of cell parts.
Are these copies exactly the same?
No. While the DNA copies are very similar, they are not always 100% identical. Why?
● Because no chemical reaction is perfect.
● Small variations or changes can happen during DNA copying.
What happens due to variations?
● Some variations might be harmless or even useful.
● Some could be harmful, and if the DNA is too faulty, the new cell may not survive.
● These small differences between cells are natural and can lead to new traits in future
generations.
Why is variation important?
These small differences that arise during reproduction are the starting point of evolution.
Over many generations, useful variations help organisms adapt and survive better in their
environment.
Summary:
● Reproduction involves copying DNA, the instruction manual of life.
● This copy is passed to new cells during cell division.
● The process is not perfectly accurate, so small variations occur.
● These variations lead to differences between individuals, which form the basis for
evolution.
8.1.1 The Importance of Variation
Organisms live in specific environments, called niches, where they survive, grow, and
reproduce.
Their body design—decided by their DNA—helps them live in these particular conditions.
Why is DNA copying important?
During reproduction, DNA is copied and passed on to the next generation.
If the copying is accurate, the body design remains the same, and the organism can
continue to live successfully in its niche.
This helps in maintaining population stability over time.
What happens if the environment changes?
Sometimes, the environment (niche) can change due to natural or human-made reasons like:
● Climate change (temperature rise or fall)
● Droughts or floods
● Earthquakes or meteorite impacts
If all organisms in a population are exactly the same and not suited to the new conditions,
the entire population could die.
How does variation help?
If some individuals in the population have slight differences (variations) in their DNA:
● A few of them might be better suited to the new conditions.
● These individuals survive and reproduce.
● Over time, the population adapts and continues to exist.
Example:
If a population of bacteria lives in cool water, but due to global warming the water becomes
warmer:
● Most bacteria may die.
● But those with heat-resistant variations can survive and grow.
Summary:
● Variation occurs naturally during reproduction due to small changes in DNA.
● It helps some organisms survive if the environment changes.
● This makes variation important for the survival and evolution of species over time.
8.2 Modes of Reproduction Used by Single Organisms
Organisms have different body structures, so the way they reproduce also varies.
Simple organisms like yeast and mould, which are unicellular (one-celled) or very simple
in structure.
Activity 8.1 – Observing Yeast and Mould Reproduction
Part 1: Yeast (a type of fungus)
1. Mix some sugar in water.
2. Take some of this mixture in a test tube and add a pinch of yeast.
3. Close the tube with cotton and keep it in a warm place.
4. After 1–2 hours, take a drop of this solution and observe it under a microscope.
What do you see?
You will notice yeast cells forming small buds — this shows that yeast reproduces by a
process called budding.
Part 2: Bread Mould
1. Take a slice of bread, make it wet, and keep it in a cool, dark, and moist place.
2. Observe the bread daily with a magnifying glass.
What do you see?
After a few days, you will see white or black fuzzy growth — this is called mould, and it
reproduces using spores.
Comparison – Yeast vs Mould
Feature Yeast Mould
Type of Reproduction Budding Spore formation
Observed Using Microscope Magnifying glass or eyes
Where It Grows Sugar solution Bread (in moist, dark place)
Appearance During Growth Small buds on cells Fuzzy, thread-like growth
Conclusion
● The way organisms reproduce depends on how their bodies are made.
● Simple organisms like yeast and mould have different methods of reproduction.
● By doing experiments, we can observe these processes and understand them better.
8.2.1 Fission – A Way of Reproduction in Unicellular Organisms
Fission is a type of asexual reproduction used by unicellular (single-celled) organisms.
In this process, the cell divides to form new individuals. This is also called cell division.
Types of Fission:
1. Binary Fission – Splitting into Two
● In this type, the cell divides into two equal parts.
● Each part becomes a new organism.
● Example: Amoeba, Bacteria, Leishmania
Details:
● In Amoeba, the division can happen in any direction or plane because its body shape
is not fixed.
● In Leishmania (which causes kala-azar), the body has a special whip-like structure
(called a flagellum) at one end.
○ So, it divides in a specific direction to match its body structure.
Activity 8.3: Observing Amoeba Fission
● Look at two slides under a microscope:
1. A normal Amoeba
2. An Amoeba undergoing binary fission
● Compare how the body changes during reproduction.
2. Multiple Fission – Splitting into Many
● In this method, the organism makes many copies of itself at once inside the cell.
● Later, the cell breaks open and releases all the new individuals.
● Example: Plasmodium (the parasite that causes malaria)
What about Yeast?
● Unlike Amoeba or Plasmodium, yeast reproduces by budding, not by fission.
● It forms a small bud on its body, which grows and then separates to become a new
yeast cell.
Summary Table:
Organism Type of Fission How It Works
Amoeba Binary Fission Splits into two parts in any direction
Leishmania Binary Fission Splits in a fixed direction (due to flagellum)
Plasmodium Multiple Fission Splits into many cells at the same time
Yeast Budding Grows small bud that becomes new cell
