B15 - Reproduction (sexual & asexual)

Question 1

Define asexual reproduction & examples

Answer 1

-process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from 1 parent
eg. bacteria, fungi, plants (potato tubers, strawberry runners)

Question 2

Advantages of asexual repoduction

Answer 2

-fast process
-can colonize new areas quickly
-needs only 1 individual
-genetically identical (favorable characteristics can pass on - artificial selection)
-if parents are well adapted to the environment, offspring will be too

Question 3

Disadvantages of asexual reproduction

Answer 3

-little variation
-disease/ change in environment will kill all organisms
-limited ability to adapt to the environment
-no dispersal; competition with parents
-negative traits are passed on

Question 4

define sexual reproduction & example

Answer 4

-process involving the fusion of the nuclei of 2 gametes to form a zygote & the production of offspring that are genetically different from each other
eg. humans, flowering plants

Question 5

advantages of sexual reproduction

Answer 5

-genetic variation
-seed dispersal; no competition with parents
-can adapt to changes
-negative traits may not be passed on
-natural selection can occur
-can colonize new areas

Question 6

disadvantages of sexual reproduction

Answer 6

-needs 2 parents
-slow process
-lots of seeds are wasted
-fertilization may not happen
-colonize areas slowly
-needs a pollinating agent
-good characteristics may not be passed on
-less energy efficient

Question 7

define species

Answer 7

-group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring
-only organisms of the same species can interbreed 7 produce fertile offspring

Question 7

define diploid nucleus & example

Answer 7

-nucleus contains 2 sets of chromo.
eg. body cells

Question 8

define haploid nucleus & example

Answer 8

-nucleus contains 1 set of chromo.
eg. gametes