MOD 5 Flashcards
Reproduction, Cell replication
What is reproduction?
Production of offspring (necessary for continuation of life)
What is asexual reproduction?
New offspring produced by a single parent (does not involve gametes)
What are the disadvantages of asexual reproduction?
Less genetic diversity and vulnerable to genetic changes in environment
What are the advantages of asexual reproduction?
More offspring when environment is favourable and energy efficient
What is sexual reproduction?
Fusion of two gametes (male and female) where genetic information from each parent is passed on in the chromosome
What are the disadvantages of sexual reproduction?
Slow population growth
What are the advantages of sexual reproduction?
Offspring are genetically diverse ensuring continuity of species
What are gametes?
Haploid cells that contain one copy of chromosome and formed by meiosis
What happens when a haploid sperm cell and a haploid egg cell fuse?
They form a fertilised diploid
What is a zygote?
Fertilised egg
What are hermaphrodites?
An organism that has both male and female reproductive organs. (eg. snail)
What are the advantages of hermaphrodites?
Can increase quickly when low population density
What are the disadvantages of hermaphrodites?
Large amounts of energy to grow and maintain two sets of reproductive systems (fewer combinations of genes and less genetic variation)
What is internal fertilisation?
Eggs fertilised inside female’s body
What are the advantages of internal fertilisation?
Higher chance of fertilisation and control of mate choice allowing quicker natural selection
What are the disadvantages of internal fertilisation?
Requires more energy and produces fewer offspring
What is oviparous?
May develop a shell and be laid in the external environment (vulnerable to predation)
What is external fertilisation?
Both sperm and egg released into environment and fertilised outside the body - synchronisation of reproductive cycles
What are the advantages of external fertilisation?
Efficient and often produce large number of offspring with a wide dispersal
What are the disadvantages of external fertilisation?
Lower chance of fertilisation and often limited to aquatic environments
What is an example of external fertilisation?
Coral spawning - signaled by environmental cues (abiotic and biotic)
What are hormones?
Chemical substances that act as messengers in the body and coordinate functions
What is the pituitary gland?
Endocrine gland at the base of the brain and is the master gland that secretes hormones that stimulate or inhibit other endocrine glands
What are sex hormones?
Produced in the ovaries or testes and in pituitary gland and adrenal cortex - different from gametes (sex cells)