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Access Answers of Biology NCERT Chapter 1 – Reproduction in Organisms

Que 1. Why is reproduction essential for organisms?

Solution:

Reproduction is essential for the continuity of species on earth. If the organisms do not reproduce, life will cease to exist.Que

Que 2. Which mode of reproduction is better: asexual or sexual? Why?

Solution:

Sexual reproduction is better than asexual reproduction because it produces offsprings that are genetically unique from the parents. It also means that the offspring will be more resilient and be able to survive better than either parent due to genetic variation.

Que 3. Why is the offspring formed by asexual reproduction referred to as clone?

Solution:

The offsprings formed by asexual reproduction are referred to as clones because it involves only a single parent. Furthermore, there is no recombination of genes and the offsprings produced are genetically identical.

Que 4. Offsprings formed due to sexual reproduction have better chances of survival. Why? Is this statement always true?

Solution:

Sexual reproduction is said to occur when two gametes fuse. This leads to the production of the offspring that are genetic variants of the parents and therefore, are able to survive better.

However, the organisms produced by sexual reproduction do not always survive more than those produced by asexual reproduction. Sometimes, the organisms produced by asexual reproduction survive better than those produced by sexual reproduction. Also, it is a fairly quick process and consumes less energy and time.

Que 5. How does the progeny formed from asexual reproduction differ from those formed by sexual reproduction?

Solution:

The progeny formed by asexual reproduction involves a single parent and are genetically identical to the parent whereas the progeny formed by sexual reproduction are formed when male and female gametes fuse together and are genetically unique.

Que 6. Distinguish between sexual and asexual reproduction. Why is vegetative reproduction also considered a type of asexual reproduction?

Solution:

Differences between sexual and asexual reproduction are mentioned below:

Vegetative reproduction is considered to be a form of asexual reproduction as it does not involve the fusion of male and female gametes. In this, a new plant grows from the fragment of the genetically identical parent plant.

Que 7. What is vegetative propagation? Give two suitable examples.

Solution:

Vegetative propagation is a common form of asexual reproduction observed in plants. In this, a fragment of a plant is used to grow another plant. Many plants reproduce naturally as well as artificially by vegetative propagation and the offsprings produced are genetically identical.

For eg., ginger, garlic

Que 8. Define:

  1. Juvenile phase

  2. Reproductive phase

  3. Senescent phase

Solution:

  1. Juvenile phase: It is defined as the period of growth between an organism’s birth and reproductive maturity.

  2. Reproductive phase: It is the phase in which an organism can reproduce sexually. In males, it lasts until death, but in females it lasts until the age of 50.

  3. Senescent phase: It is the period of ageing in an organism.

Que 9. Higher organisms have resorted to sexual reproduction in spite of their complexity. Why?

Solution:

Higher organisms undergo sexual reproduction despite its complex nature because the organisms are produced by the fusion of two different gametes and therefore show genetic variations. Due to these variations, they are well adapted to different environmental factors, and hence usually have higher rates of survival.

Que 10. Explain why meiosis and gametogenesis are always interlinked?

Solution:

Meiosis is the process that occurs during gametogenesis. Gametogenesis refers to the process of how gametes are formed. Meiosis is necessary for the formation of gametes. Hence, both the processes are said to be interlinked.

Que 11. Identify each part in a flowering plant and write whether it is haploid (n) or diploid (2n).

  1. Ovary

  2. Anther

  3. Egg

  4. Pollen

  5. Male gamete

  6. Zygote

Solution:

  1. Ovary – Diploid (2n)

  2. Anther – Diploid (2n)

  3. Egg – Haploid (n)

  4. Pollen – Haploid (n)

  5. Male gamete – Haploid (n)

  6. Zygote – Diploid (2n)

Que 12. Define external fertilization. Mention its disadvantages.

Solution:

External fertilization is a mode of reproduction characterized by the fertilization of male and female gametes outside the body of the organisms. External fertilization is observed in amphibians such as frogs and toads. However, there are a few drawbacks of external fertilization:

  • The chances of survival of the gametes are very less.

  • Not all the gametes are fertilized.

  • The gametes might desiccate.

  • The predators usually eat the eggs.

Que 13. Differentiate between a zoospore and a zygote.

Solution:

The important differences between a zoospore and a zygote are mentioned below:

Que 14. Differentiate between gametogenesis and embryogenesis.

Solution:

Following are the crucial differences between gametogenesis and embryogenesis:

Que 15. Describe the post-fertilization changes in a flower.

Solution:

The post-fertilization changes include:

  1. The sepals, petals and stamens fall off, while the pistil remains attached to the flower.

  2. The zygote develops into an embryo.

  3. The ovule forms the seed.

  4. The ovary develops into the fruit.

Que 16. What is a bisexual flower? Collect five bisexual flowers from your neighborhood and write their scientific names.

Solution:

The flowers that contain both female and male reproductive structures are considered as a bisexual flower. The androecium is the male reproductive structure, while the female reproductive structure is gynoecium.

Examples of bisexual flowers are:

  1. Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato)

  2. Tulipa (Tulip)

  3. Helianthus (Sunflower)

  4. Brassica (Mustard)

  5. Narcissus (Daffodil)

Que 17. Examine a few flowers of any cucurbit plant and try to identify the staminate and pistillate flowers. Do you know any other plant that bears unisexual flowers?

Solution:

Flowers that bear stamens are called staminate flowers while the flowers that bear pistil are known as pistillate flowers. Cucurbit plants bear unisexual flowers, i.e., both the male and female reproductive structures are on the same plant.

The staminate flowers of cucurbit have petals that are coloured bright yellow. It also has stamens which function as the male reproductive structures of a flower. The female reproductive structures of a flower are the pistils, which is present on the pistillate flowers.

Papaya is another plant that bears unisexual flowers.

18. Why are offsprings of oviparous animals at a greater risk as compared to offsprings of viviparous animals?

Solution:

Oviparous animals are the animals that lay eggs which mature outside the mother. These eggs are at a greater risk of being destroyed by predators or environmental factors. In the case of viviparous organisms; however, the eggs develop inside the female, and therefore, the fetus is shielded from predators and environmental threats as opposed to the fetus of oviparous animals.

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