Reproduction Flashcards
Why do organisms reproduce?
To ensure the survival of species
What would happen to a species if every individual from that species suddenly lost the ability to reproduce?
The likely result is the extinction of a species.
Asexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction involves a single parent. It results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.
Sexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction involves two parents. Parents produce reproductive cells called gametes that unite to form an offspring.
How much of your parents make up your genetic code?
All your genetic code is a combination of your parents.
How much from each parent?
Half of your genetic code comes from your mom and half comes from your dad.
How is this different from organisms such as bacteria and protozoa?
Bacteria and protozoa have an asexual mode of reproduction so their offsprings are genetically identical to the organism. There is only one parent cell involved.
Definition of fertilization
Fertilisation is the process by which two haploid specialised reproductive cells called gametes combine to form a single diploid cell called a zygote.
Definition of gametes
Gametes are specialised reproductive cells produced during meiosis that has the haploid number of chromosomes.
Definition of a haploid cell
Haploid cells have one complete set of chromosomes. In most organisms, this means they have half the usual number of chromosomes.
Definition of a diploid cell.
Diploid cells have two complete sets of chromosomes. In most organisms, this means they have the full, normal number of chromosomes.
How do simple single celled prokaryotic organisms reproduce?
Single celled prokaryotic organisms use asexual reproduction which involves a single parent. It results in offspring genetically identical to each other and the parent.
Asexual reproduction involves what kind of nuclear division?
Mitosis is the kind of nuclear division involved in asexual reproduction.
What are the several methods of asexual reproduction?
Asexual reproduction involves different methods: binary fission, fragmentation and budding.
What type of cell division produces gametes?
Meiosis
Why must gametes contain only half the parent’s genetic information?
Gametes contain half the usual number of chromosomes. At fertilisation, half of your father’s genome is mixed with half of your mother’s genome to form your complete genome.
Explain why organisms that live in a stable environment often use asexual reproduction?
Asexual reproduction requires less energy and is faster, ensuring rapid colonization of habitats. In a stable environment, organisms don’t need genetic variation to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Why is a species that reproduces sexually more likely to survive a sudden change in environment than a species that reproduces asexually?
During sexual reproduction, the genetic material of two individuals is combined to produce genetically diverse offspring that differ from their parents. The genetic diversity of sexually prodced offspring is thought to give species a better chance of surviving in an unpredictable or changing environment.
Sexual vs asexual number of parents
Sexual: 2 parent
Asexual: 1 parent
Sexual vs asexual genetic material
Sexual: mix of genes
Asexual: same inherited genes
Sexual vs asexual genetic diversity
Sexual: High, offspring has genes from two different parents
Asexual: Low, the offspring is a clone of the parent cell.
Sexual vs asexual energy and resources
Sexual: more energy is required to find mates and combine gametes
Asexual: Less energy is required for a cell to split
Sexual vs asexual Evolution
Sexual: adjusts to environment and adapts to changes
Asexual: Maintains successful traits
Sexual vs asexual how much DNA from one parent
Sexual: 50%
Asexual: 100%
Sexual vs asexual examples of organisms
Sexual: animals, plants, fungi
Asexual: protists, fungi, plant, and lower animals.
Key points
Asexual reproduction involves one parent and produces offspring that are genetically identical to each other and to the parent.
Sexual reproduction involves two parents and produces offspring that are genetically unique.
During sexual reproduction, two haploid gametes join in the process of fertilization to produce a diploid zygote.
Meiosis is the type of cell division that produces gametes.
