Asexual reproduction in plants

Question 1

What advantages does asexual reproduction give?

Answer 1

• energy required is minimal
• can occur in various environments
• allows for species survival
• multiple forms pf asexual reproduction is possible
• only one organism is required to establish a colony
• eliminates the need for seeds
• rapid maturity

Question 2

List some natural methods of asexual reproduction.

Answer 2

• Suckers
• Runners/Stolons
• tubers
• bulbs: underground stems with fleshy, storage leaves that store nutrients for a dormant plant over winter

Question 3

What are suckers?

Answer 3

Suckers: buds form on underground roots or stems and grow genetically identical plants

Question 4

What are runners?

Answer 4

Runners/Stolons: above ground stems that move away from parents plant

Question 5

What are tubers?

Answer 5

Thick underground stems or roots with stored nutrients, in winter the leafy parts of plant die and in spring the plant regrows

Question 6

What are bulbs?

Answer 6

Underground stems with fleshy, storage leaves that store nutrients for a dormant plant over winter

Question 7

What are some artificial methods of asexual reproduction?

Answer 7

• cutting shoots
• cutting leaves
• grafting
• micropropagation

Question 8

Why are shoots cut?

Answer 8

A section of a plant with an apical and
lateral buds is cut off and planted in soil or
water (E.g. citrus plants, cocoa)
The apical bud sends auxins down the
stem and leads stimulate root growth.

Question 9

What does cutting leaves do for plants?

Answer 9

• the leaf produces auxins
• roots are initiated
• roots produce cytokinins
• shoot is stimulated to grow

Question 10

What is grafting?

Answer 10

Rootstock - plant being
grafted onto (plant with
good root system, healthy
growth characteristics etc)
Scion - plant being
propagated

Question 11

What is micropropagation?

Answer 11

• a method used for cloning plants
• used widely for rapid multiplication of commercially important plant species with superior genotypes and recovery programmes for endangered plant species

Question 12

What are disadvantages of aesxual reproduction?

Answer 12

• diversity is limited
• negative mutation linger longer
• population numbers cna be difficult to control
• inability to adapt
• overcrowding and overproduction cna create competition
• ## lower lifespans