16. Reproduction Flashcards
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
Reproductive system
The organ system found in animals that is responsible for producing sperm cells or egg cells, and for producing new individuals by sexual reproduction.
Male reproductive system
- Testis
- Scrotum
- Prostate gland
- Sperm duct
- Urethra
- Penis
Testes
Organ in which sperm cells and testosterone are produced
Scrotum
Sack of skin that contains the testes, helping to keep them at a slightly lower temperature than the rest of the body
Prostate gland
secretes fluid that nourishes and protects the sperm
(The mixture of liquid and sperm is known as semen)
Sperm duct
Muscular tube that connects a testis to the urethra
Urethra (in men)
Tube that allows the passage of semen and urine through the centre of the penis
Penis
During sexual intercourse, the penis is inserted into the vagina, allowing the sperm to transfer into the female reproductive system
Female reprodutive system
- Ovary
- Oviduct
- Uterus
- Cervix
- Vagina
Ovary
Produces egg cells, and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone
Oviduct
Tube connecting an ovary to the uterus; fertilisation usually occurs here
Uterus
Organ in which the embryo develops
Cervix
Ring of muscle between the vagina and the uterus
Vagina
Elastic muscular canal through which the newborn passes during childbirth; during sexual intercourse, the male’s penis is inserted into the vagina
Fertilisation
During sexual intercourse, semen leaves the penis during ejaculation –> Entering the vagina.
Sperm then swims up the vagina, through the cervix, into the uterus + along the oviducts.
Most sperms don’t survive the journey.
After one sperm fertilises the egg, a barrier is formed to prevent other sperms from entering.
Sperm cell - Structure
Three segments = Head, midpiece, flagellum
Head = Acrosome
Midpiece = Mitochondria
Flagellum = Movement
Head of the sperm
Has a structure called the acrosome.
Acrosome secretes digestive enzymes –> allows the sperm cell to pass through the jelly coating on the surface of an egg cell.
Midpiece of the sperm
Contains many mitochondria.
–> Release energy by respiration –> needed to keep the flagellum moving.
Flagellum of the sperm
Part of the sperm cell that can move –> like a tail (propelling the cell from one place to another)
Egg cell - Structure
Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Jelly coat, Follicular cells
Egg cell - Nucleus
Nucleus contains the mother’s DNA (will fuse with the father’s contained in the sperm nucleus)
The egg cell is therefore a haploid.
Egg cell - Cytoplasm
Contains energy stores to allow the egg to surive for several days
+ to nourish the zygote if fertilisation occurs, until it can implant in the wall of the uterus.
Egg cell - Follicular cells
Layer of follicle cells attached to egg helps to nourish the eff during its journey.
Egg cell - Jelly coat
Jell coat allows the sperm to attach.
it then creates a barrier to other sperm cells once on has successfully penetrated it + entered the egg cell.
What happens if two or more sperm cells enter the egg cell?
The zygote doesn’t form / develops incorrectly.
Egg cells vs Sperm cells
Egg cells = 0.1 mm in diameter
Sper cells = 0.05 mm long
Female (usually) releases one egg cell per month
Males can release 40 million - 1.2 billion sperms in a single ejaculation –> increases chance of successful fertilisation
Egg cells can’t move on their own
Sperm cells can use its flagellum to move about at around 1-3 mm per hour.