16. Reproduction Flashcards
(126 cards)
Asexual reproduction
A process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from one parent.
Occurs in bacteria.
Genetically identical
Two organisms that have exactly the same gene sequencing, also known as clones.
Offspring
The products of reproduction. New individuals of the same species as the parent(s) that produced them.
How does asexual reproduction occur in bacteria?
The bacterial DNA is copied.
The cell then continues to grow until it splits into two cells.
What are examples of organisms that can reproduce asexually?
- Starfish
- Yeast
- Plants such as ferns + strawberry plant
Asexual reproduction in starfish
Some starfish species can detach an arm –> arm then develops into a full genetic copy of the original.
Asexual reproduction in a strawberry plant
‘Runners’ (vine like extensions) travel from plant and then take root in the soil to produce new young plants.
Advantages of asexual reproduction
- Only one parent is need (saves time and enery in finding a mate) –> speeds up reproduction process
- Occurs very quickly (eg. bacteria = easy to divide)
- In farming crops can be reproduced easily –> no need for seeds
Disadvantages to asexual reproduction
- All individual will have the same characteristics (bc genetically identical)
–> Makes species velnerable to environmental changes (eg. disease)
Sexual reproduction
A process involving the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes (sex cells) to form a zygote, and the production of offspring that are genetically different from each other.
Fusion
The process of joining or fusing together two nuclei during sexual reproduction.
Gamete
A sex cell, e.g. sperm cell or egg cell.
The nucleus of a gamete is haploid – it contains a single set of unpaired chromosomes.
Male gamete
Sperm cell
Female gamete
Egg cell (ovum or ova plural)
Fertilisation
The fusion of gamete nuclei to form a zygote.
Zygote
A cell produced by the fusion of the nuclei from two gametes during fertilisation. The nucleus of a zygote is diploid – it contains two sets of chromosomes.
Diploid vs Haploid
Both are a nucleus
Haploid = Contains single set of unpaired chromosomes
Diploid = Contains two sets of chromosomes
Haploid = 23 chromosomes
Diploid = 46 chromosomes
Reproduction - Process (on a cellular level)
Male gamete + female gamete = fuse
Fertilisation = Fusion of gamete nuclei
–> Creates a zygote (eg. fertilised egg cell)
Zygote
Why is offspring not identical to parents in sexual reproduction?
The zygote contains both maternal and paternal DNA.
Organisms using sexual reproduction
- Fungi
- Fish
- Amphibians
- Molluscs
- Birds
- Plants
- Mammals
- Reptiles
- Arthropods
How many chromosomes are there in haploid nueclei?
23 Chromosomes
Only one copy of each chromosome
Advantages of sexual reproduction
- Creates variation within a population –> Population is more resistance to environmental changes + disease.
- Selective breeding bc characteristics are always being introduced to population.
Disadvantages of sexual reproduction
- A lot of time + energy needed to find mate (eg. birds of paradise)
- Sexual reproduction = slower eg. 9 months pregnancy vs bacteria dividing in 20 minutes
16.3 –> Get it done