Asexual Reproduction

Question 1

How do Bacteria and other single-cell organisms reproduce?

Answer 1

They reproduce by dividing to form two ‘new’ individuals. These individuals are known as clones (meaning they are genetically identical to the parent).

Question 2

What reproduces using asexual reproduction?

Answer 2

Most plants and some animals

Question 3

How does variation differ between those who reproduce sexually and asexually?

Answer 3

The difference is that most variations in organisms that reproduce asexually is normally only caused by environmental factors

Question 4

How do animals clones occur?

Answer 4

Animal clones can occur naturally:
The cells of an embryo sometimes separate
The two new embryos develop into identical twins

Question 5

How can animal clones be produced artificially?

Answer 5

The nucleus from an adult body cell is transferred into an empty (nucleus removed) unfertilised egg cell
The new individual will have exactly the same genetic information as the donor.

Question 6

Are there arguments against animal cloning?

Answer 6

There are many conflicting views as some people see this process as unethical

Question 7

How do plants naturally produce clones?

Answer 7

Many plants naturally produce clones when they form bulbs or runners.

Question 8

How do the bulbs develop into new plants?

Answer 8

Bulbs are swollen leaves that act as a store over the non-growing season. They develop into new plants in the following season. (An example of this are daffodils)

Question 9

How do runners develop into new plants?

Answer 9

Runners are stem-like outgrowths along which new plants develop. The new plants can root and grow on in the following seasons. (An example of this are strawberry plants)

Question 10

What are gametes?

Answer 10

Sex cells

Question 11

Is there any problems with asexual reproduction within plants?

Answer 11

As the new plants are clones and no genetic variation is occurring, they will all be susceptible to the same diseases as the parent plant