Reproduction of Life

Question 1

What differentiates asexual reproduction from sexual reproduction of living things?

Answer 1

In sexual reproduction, an organism combines the genetic information from each of its parents and is genetically unique. In asexual reproduction, one parent copies itself to form a genetically identical offspring.

Question 2

Describe asexual reproduction used by bacteria.

Answer 2

-Binary fission is the asexual reproduction method used by bacteria
-Begins with the replication of the genetic material
-The result is two daughter cells that are genetically identical to each other and to the original parent cell

Question 3

What is a gamete and how it is different from other body cells (somatic).

Answer 3

Somatic cells are body cells and gametes are our sex cells, or sperm and eggs. Somatic cells have a diploid genome. This means that they get two copies of each chromosome, one from mom and one from dad. Gametes on the other hand are formed through a process called meiosis, which creates a haploid genome.

Question 4

Describe the benefit and disadvantage of asexual methods of reproduction

Answer 4

Benefit- no need to find a partner or make reproductive tract, so more energy efficient
Disadvantage- no diversity which could be bad in a changing environment

Question 5

Describe the benefit and disadvantages of sexual methods of reproduction

Answer 5

Disadvantage- sexual reproduction takes longer than asexual reproduction. A mate must be found, the egg must be fertilised by sperm, and then the offspring develop.
Benefit- introducing genetic variation into the species, however, outweighs this disadvantage.