Reproduction Flashcards
(106 cards)
What is reproduction?
The production of more organisms, both sexually and asexually. This process is performed by all living things and all offspring is of the same species.
What is sexual reproduction?
Reproduction involving two parents, whose gametes fuse, becoming fertilised, and creating a zygote. There is genetic variation because offspring is not genetically identical.
What is asexual reproduction?
Reproduction involving only one parent, and offspring is genetically identical to the parent, so no evolution happens unless there is a mutation. The parent cell starts to grow a separate part, or branch, which eventually detaches, becoming an independent cell. It is an exact copy (clone).
Give an example of an organism that performs asexual reproduction
- Hydra
- Budding yeast
What is an advantage of sexual reproduction?
There is genetic variation
What is an advantage of asexual reproduction?
It is very fast
What is a disadvantage of sexual reproduction?
Requires a partner
What is a disadvantage of asexual reproduction?
Evolution cannot happen
Describe the process of sexual reproduction.
The male and female gamete fuse, forming a zygote. The cells then perform cell division by mitosis, and this develops into an embryo and a foetus.
Describe the process of asexual reproduction.
The parent cell starts to grow a seperate branch/bud, that continues growing and detaches itself from the parent, becoming its own organism. It is genetically identical to the parent.
What are the parts of the male reproductive system?
Prostate, penis, sperm duct, urethra, testis, foreskin, scrotum
What are the parts of the female reproductive system?
Fallopian tube, ovary, uterus, cervix, vagina.
Where are sperm cells created?
Testes
Where are egg cells created?
Ovary
Where is the ideal place for fertilisation to occur?
Fallopian tube
How large is the egg cell compared to the sperm cell and why?
The egg is the largest cell in the body, and sperm cells are very small, because the egg needs to be big enough to store food for the zygote.
How many egg cells are there compared to sperm cells and why?
There are millions of sperm, but only one egg, because a lot of sperm increase the chance of fertilisation.
Can egg and sperm cells move and why?
Sperm can move, but eggs can’t, because the sperm must swim towards the egg.
What are the features of a sperm cell?
Acrosome, Nucleus (haploid, Mitochondria, Plasma membrane, Flagellum
What is the function of the acrosome in a sperm cell?
The sac of enzymes in the sperm’s head penetrate the membrane around the ovum.
What is the function of the haploid nucleus in a sperm cell?
Contains half of the number of chromosomes compared to body cells.
What is the function of the mitochondria in a sperm cell?
Carries out aerobic respiration for movement.
What is the function of the flagellum in sperm cell?
Propels sperm towards the egg.
Why do gametes have haploid nuclei?
When the cells fuse, so do the two haploid nuclei, forming one diploid nucleus.