ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Question 1

what is asexual reproduction?

Answer 1

-Involves a single parent and produces genetically identical offspring (clones).

-All cells of the new individual are produced by a type
of cell division called mitosis.

-Consequently, it is a form of rapid reproduction in
favourable conditions.

Question 2

Asexual repdocution in bacteria?

Answer 2

-Bacteria reproduce by binary fission. This means that one cell splits into two new cells. As there is only one parent involved, this is a type of asexual reproduction.

-Bacteria can asexually reproduce at tremendous speeds; some bacteria can reproduce as often
asonce every 20 minutes.

Question 3

Asexual reproduction in animals?

Answer 3

-Asexual reproduction in animals is much less common than
sexual reproduction, but it does occur.

-For example, sea anemones and starfish, reproduce asexually.

Question 4

Asexual reproduction in plants?

Answer 4

1. Many plants develop underground food storage
   organs that later develop into the following year’s plants. Potato plants (tubers) and daffodil plants (bulbs) do this, for example.
2. Some plants produce side branches with plantlets on them. The spider plant does this.
3. Other plants, such as strawberries, produce runners with plantlets on them.
4. Artificially induced (cuttings). A branch from the parent plant is cut off, its lower leaves are removed, and the stem is planted in damp compost. Plant hormones are often used to encourage new roots to develop. The cutting is usually covered in a clear
   plastic bag at this stage to keep it moist and warm. After a few weeks, new roots develop and a new plant is produced.

Question 5

Artifically induced (cuttings)?

Answer 5

1. take a healthy plant and cut off a small length of stem
2. dip the end of the cut stem into hormone rooting powder
3. put the stem into a flowerpot full of damp compost
4. cover the pot with a plastic bag to keep it moist
5. this will grow into a new plant

Question 6

Asexual reproduction key points?

Answer 6

• an ordinary cell can make a new cell, simply dividing into two
• the new cell produced has exactly the same genertic info as the parent cell
• some organisms produce offspring using this type of reproduction e.g, bacteria and certain plants
• there is no fusion of gametes or mixing of chromosomes
• this is how plants and animals grow and prodce replacement cells
• the offspring and clones of the parent as they are genetaicllay identical

Question 7

Why is only parent needed a advantage for asexual reproduction?

Answer 7

more time and energy efficient as do not need to find

a mate

Question 8

Why is only parent needed a disadvanatge for asexual reproduction?

Answer 8

no genetic variation so if conditions change e.g new

disease or climate change entire population could be wiped out

Question 9

Why is faster than sexual reproduction a disadvantage for asexual reproduction?

Answer 9

no genetic variation so if conditions change e.g new

disease or climate change entire population could be wiped out

Question 10

Why is faster than sexual reproduction a advanatge for asexual reproduction?

Answer 10

many identical offspring can be produced when

conditions are favourable.