topic 12 - Reproduction Flashcards
what is sexual reproduction?
the process involving the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes to form a zygote (fertilised egg cell) and the production of offspring that are genetically different from each other
what are gametes
sex cells containing 23 chromosomes
3 advantages of sexual reproduction
- increases genetic variation
- the species can adapt to new environments, giving a survival advantage
- disease is less likely to affect population due to variation
2 disadvantages of sexual reproduction
- takes time and energy to find mates
- difficult for isolated members of the species to reproduce
what is asexual reproduction?
The process resulting in genetically identical offspring being produced from one parent
4 advantages of asexual reproduction
- population can be increased rapidly when conditions are right
- can exploit sustainable environments quickly
- more time and energy efficient
- reproduction is completed much faster than sexual reproduction
3 disadvantages of asexual reproduction
- limited genetic variation as offspring are genetically identical to parent
- population is vulnerable to changes in environment, may not be able to adapt
- disease is likely to affect whole population as there’s no genetic variety
4 key differences of sexual and asexual reproduction
- the number of parent organisms
- the level of genetic similarity between offspring
- the possible sources of genetic variation in offspring
- the time taken to produce offspring
what is fertilisation?
Fertilisation is the fusion of a male and female gamete to produce a zygote that undergoes cell division and develops into an embryo
9 features of a plants reproductive system
CARPEL
- style
- stigma
- ovary
STAMEN
- anther
- filament
- petal
- stem
- sepal
- receptacle
what does the sepal do?
protects the unopened flower
what do petals do?
brightly coloured in insect pollenated flowers to attract insects
what does the anther do?
produces and releases the male sex cell (pollen grains)
what does the stigma do?
top of the female part of the flower which collects pollen grains
function of ovary in plants
produces female sex cell (ovum)
function of ovule in plants
contains female sex cells
what are insect-pollinated flowers and how does it work
flowers using insects as the pollenating agent
- insects often visit these flowers to collect nectar
- as an insect enters the flowers in search of nectar, it often brushes against the anthers, which deposit sticky pollen onto the insect’s body
- when the insect visits another flower, it may brush against the stigma of this second flower and in the process, may deposit some of the pollen from the first flower, resulting in pollination
- the structures of an insect-pollinated flower ensure that the flower is well-adapted for pollination by insects
5 features of insect pollenated flowers
- large and brightly coloured petals to attract insects
- strong scent and nectar, enticing insects to pursue flower and push past the stamen to the nectar
- large and sticky pollen grains to attach to insect
- stiff and firmly attached anther for insect to brush against
- sticky stigma so pollen sticks when insects brush against it
what is wind pollination and how does it work?
- when ripe, the anthers open and shed their pollen into the open air
- the pollen is then either blown by the wind or carried by air currents until it (by chance) lands on the stigma of a plant of the same species, resulting in pollination
- the structures of a wind-pollinated flower ensure that the flower is well-adapted for pollination by the wind
6 features of wind pollinated flowers
- small and dull petals
- no scent or nectar as they don’t need to attract insects
- large amount of pollen grains produced to increase chance of pollination
- smooth, small and light pollen grains so they are easily blown in the wind
- anthers outside of the flower release pollen grain easily
- stigma outside of flower to catch pollen grain