Simple Organisms

Question 1

Characteristics of simple organisms

Answer 1

Simple organism can be both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. While they can be multicellular like some eukaryotes, they lack organ systems, and this is one of the main reasons they are called simple organism. Complex organism like plants and animals have organ systems.

Question 2

What is reproduction and what are the two types of reproduction?

Answer 2

Reproduction is the process that allows organisms to make offspring/s. There are two trpes of reproduction: sexual reproduction (two parents) and asexual reproduction (one parent involved).

Question 3

Examples or simple organisms

Answer 3

Protist- eg. algae and amoeba
Paramecium
Bacteria
Fungi- eg. pin mould and yeast

Question 4

What is asexual reproduction?

Answer 4

Asexual reproduction takes place when a new individual arises from part of a previously existing organism, without fertilization (joining of pameles/sex cells) having taken place. All the offspring have the same genes as cach game and as the parent. Thus, the offspring of asexual organisms are identical clones.

The process is common among plants and single-celled organisms.

Question 5

What are the types of asexual reproduction?

Answer 5

There are three types of asexual reproduction: budding, binary fission and sporulation.

Question 6

Describe how organisms are able to reproduce through the process of binary fision?

Answer 6

• Binary fission means splitting in two.
• In this process, an organism duplicates its genetic material (DNA), and then divides into two parts (cytokinesis), with each new organism receiving an identical copy of parent’s DNA. It is a common method of reproduction in prokaryotes e.g., amoeba and bacteria.
• First, the bacteria grow to its maximum size.
• Then the nuclear material splits to form two complete identical daughter nucleic strands.
• The cytoplasm is divided, and the parent cell splits into identical daughter cells.
• sUnder ideal conditions some bacteria can reproduce every 20 minutes.

Question 7

Describe how organisms are able to reproduce through the process of Budding?

Answer 7

Budding occurs when a new individual forms from a small outgrowth (bud) on the bodies of mature organism (parent.) The bud gets larger and eventually breaks off as a new cell. It is a common method of reproduction in yeast and Coelenterates.

First the nucleus divides
Then there is an outgrowth of cytoplasm
A genetically identical bud forms in the outgrowth (several buds from simultaneously to form a colony of buds).
* Fully formed buds separate from the parent to form new colonies

Question 8

Describe how organisms are able to reproduce through the process of Sporulation (spore formation)?

Answer 8

• A spore is a tiny spherical cell that will grow into a new individual. It is a common method of spores
• reproduction in fungi such as pin mold and mushrooms. Mosses and ferns also produce spores. The pin mould is a fungus that grows on bread and other food.
• Rhizoids penetrate into the substratum (e.g., bread) to provide anchorage and absorb nutrients.
• Stolons run along the surface of the organic matter producing rhizoids and sporangia to quickly propagate the mold.
• Sporangiophores grow upward and bear the sporangia. The sporangia (plural) contain the spores, which are released when the sporangium (singular) wall ruptures.