Reproduction (General) Flashcards
What is sexual reproduction?
The process involving the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes to form a zygote and the production of offspring that are genetically different from eachother through meiosis
What is a gamete?
A gamete is a sex cell which has a haploid nucleus meaning it only has half of the chromosones found in body cells.
For humans, a sperm and ovum and for plants the pollen nucleus and ovum are gametes. When the gametes fuse together, it forms a diploid cell, known as a zygote
What is asexual reproduction?
The process resulting in genetically identical offspring being produced from one parent through mitosis
What are the advantages of sexual reproduction?
Increases genetic varation
The species can adapt to a new enviroment due to variation, aiding in survival
Disease is less likely to affect the species due to variation
What are the disadvantages of sexual reproduction?
A mate is needed
Reproduction is slow and produces relatively small numbers of offspring
Isolated members of species may find it diffucult to reproduce
What are the advantages of asexual reproduction?
Rapid reproduction
Can exploit suitable enviroments quickly
More time and energy efficient (no mate is needed)
What are the disadvantages of asexual reproduction?
No genetic variation (apart from random mutations) as offspring are identical to parents
Population is vunerable to change in enviroment and may only be suited to one enviroment
Disease is likely to affect the whole population
What must fuse during fertilisation?
A male and female gamete
What is the product of fertilisation called and what does it develop into
It is called a zygote
It develops into an embyro through cell division
