Topic 4 - Reproduction Flashcards
What is a hermaphrodite? Give an example.
An organism that possesses both male and female genitalia / produces both eggs and sperm.
Example - sea slug.
What is the difference between haploid and diploid?
Haploid cells contain one set of chromosomes, whereas diploid cells contain two sets of chromosomes.
What is a zygote?
A cell fused in sexual reproduction that contains two sets of chromosomes (one from each parent)
How does asexual reproduction differ from sexual reproduction?
Asexual reproduction is essentially cloning where a single-celled organisms replicates through mitosis.
In sexual reproduction, cells divide then recombine genetic information from both parents.
Name THREE forms of asexual reproduction and give a brief explanation of each.
B = Budding - a new one grows as an off-shoot
F = Fragmentation - splits into parts then each will regenerate/grow back into a whole
BF = Binary Fission - existing one splits into two or more equal parts
What is parthenogenesis?
A form of asexual reproduction where the egg develops without being fertilised.
Example - male drones of parasitic wasps.
Briefly explain the terms monogamy and polygamy.
Monogamy - male and female breed exclusively with one another.
Polygamy - the male and/or female has multiple partners.
What are the types of polygamous relationship?
Polygyny - one male and many females
Polyandry - one female and many males
Polygynandry - many females and many males
What is polygyny?
Name three different sub-sets of it.
Polygyny is where one male breeds with many females.
Three different types are:
- Resource defence
- Female defence (harems)
- Leks (display groups)
What is fecundity and how is it different from fitness?
Fecundity is the number of eggs produced.
Fitness is an overall measure of lifetime reproductive success and survival.
Briefly explain the concept of life history trade-off.
Resources (nutrients & energy) can only be allocated to one activity. Some are used for survival and growth, others for reproduction. If lots are needed for reproduction, life will be shorter, etc.
What are the two sides of the life history trade-off?
Somatic effort = survival and growth
Reproductive effort = reproduction
What are the two strategies in the life history dichotomy?
k-strategy - compete and survive as an adult
r-strategy - reproduce as much as possible
What are the two broad categories of anuran breeding system, and over what time-frame do they occur?
Explosive breeding - a few days or weeks
Prolonged breeding - six months or more
Give two examples of how male mating calls convey information to others.
Females discern best calls to indicate fitness = mating.
Males discern best calls to indicate strong competitions = conflict avoidance.