B 10 Reproduction Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is sexual reproduction?
Reproduction involving the fusion of male and female gametes, producing genetically different offspring.
What is asexual reproduction?
Reproduction involving only one parent, producing genetically identical offspring (clones).
What is a gamete?
A sex cell (e.g., sperm, egg, pollen, ovule) that carries half the genetic material.
What process produces gametes?
Meiosis.
What is fertilisation?
The fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote.
What is a zygote?
A fertilised egg cell that contains a full set of chromosomes (half from each parent).
Why does sexual reproduction lead to variation?
Because offspring inherit a mix of genes from both parents.
What are the advantages of sexual reproduction?
Creates genetic variation; increases chances of survival in changing environments.
What are the advantages of asexual reproduction?
Faster, only one parent needed, many identical offspring can be produced quickly.
Give one organism that can reproduce both sexually and asexually.
Strawberry plants (runners) or malarial parasites.
What happens to the chromosome number during meiosis?
It is halved, so each gamete has only one set of chromosomes.
What happens to the chromosome number at fertilisation?
The chromosome number is restored to normal when gametes fuse.
What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis produces 2 identical cells; meiosis produces 4 genetically different gametes.
What is cloning?
Producing genetically identical organisms from one parent (via asexual reproduction).
Why is meiosis important in sexual reproduction?
It ensures offspring have the correct chromosome number and allows for variation.
