Topic 3 - Sexual And Asexual Reproduction Flashcards
What is sexual reproduction?
The joining of male and female gametes, each containing genetic information from one parent
Gametes in animals are sperm and egg cells; in flowering plants, they are pollen and egg cells.
How are gametes formed?
By meiosis, resulting in non-identical cells
Gametes contain 23 chromosomes each.
What is the chromosome count in a normal human cell?
46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs
One chromosome in each pair is inherited from the mother and the other from the father.
What happens during fertilization?
Two gametes fuse, mixing genetic information from each parent
This process produces variation in the offspring.
What is asexual reproduction?
Reproduction involving one parent without the joining of gametes
It occurs through mitosis, producing two identical cells.
What is produced by asexual reproduction?
Clones that are genetically identical to each other and the parent
Examples include bacteria, some plants, and some animals.
What is a survival advantage in sexual reproduction?
Variation in offspring increases the likelihood of survival if environmental changes occur
This can prevent entire species from becoming extinct.
What is selective breeding?
A process that mixes genetic information from two organisms to produce offspring with desirable characteristics
It allows for the enhancement of traits in future generations.
What is a key advantage of asexual reproduction?
Only one parent is needed
It is faster and requires less energy since no mate is needed.
What is an example of a benefit from asexual reproduction?
In favorable conditions, a large number of identical offspring can be produced
This can be advantageous for species that thrive in stable environments.
