Unit 16 - Reproduction Flashcards
Asexual reproduction
The process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from one parent
Examples of organisms that can reproduce asexually
- Starfish
- Yeast
- Plants such as ferns
Advantages of asexual reproduction
- Only one parent is needed - saves time and energy
- Organisms reproduce very quickly - example bacteria can divide every 20 minutes
- Helps farming due to easy reproduction
Disadvantages of asexual reproduction
- All individuals have same characteristics
- Vulnerable to environmental changes
- One infection can spread to all
Sexual reproduction
The process involving the fusion of the nuclei of two specialized sex cells to form offspring
Male gamete
Sperm cell
Female gamete
Ovum/egg cell
Haploid
- The nucleus of a gamete
- Has 23 chromosomes
Diploid
- Nucleus of a zygote
- Has 46 chromosomes (23 pairs)
Advantages of sexual reproduction
- Introduces variation to the population
- More resistance to environmental changes and diseases
- Farmers making crops can choose the best characteristics from different strains to produce new plants
Disadvantages of sexual production
- A lot of time and energy is spent finding a mate and reproducing
- Much slower than asexual reproduction - months or years
Pollination
The transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part of another flower
Plants that rely on insects for pollination
Insect-pollinated
Male part of a plant
Stamen - anther & filament
Female part of a plant
Carpel - ovary, style & stigma
Sepal description & function
- Green part at the top of the stem under the petals
- Protects the flower when growing and helps to stop it from drying out
Petal description & function
- Brightly colored part of the flower
- Attract insects, birds or mammals for pollination
Stamen description & function
- Male part of the flower containing the filament and anther
- Produces male gametes (pollen) and provides needed structures and conditions for pollen transfer
Filament description & function
- There stalk that supports the anther
- Holds the anther in position to transfer pollen to a pollinator
Anther description & function
- Colored, usually with a powdery appearance
- Produces pollen grains which contain the plant’s male gametes
Stigma description & function
- Usually green and the tallest part inside the flower with a sticky layer
- Traps pollen from other flowers
Style description & function
- Thin structure that supports the stigma and is above the ovary
- Supports and presents the stigma in a position to receive pollen
Carpel description & function
- Female part of the flower that contains the stigma, style & ovary
- Produces female gametes and provides correct structures and conditions for fertilization
Ovary description & function
- Green, bulb-shaped part near the bottom of the flower
- Contains ovules (containing female gametes), which will develop into seeds after fertilization
Ovule description & function
- Structures within the ovary
- Female gametes are produced and contained in the ovules which will then become seeds upon fertilization
Pollen transported by insects
- Spiky outer layer
- Hooks onto insects
Pollen transported by wind
- Smaller, lighter & smoother than insect pollen
Self-pollination
The transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower or to a different flower of the same plant
Advantages of self-pollination
- Plants don’t have to rely on pollinators like insects
- Plants can grow where pollinators don’t exist
Disadvantages of self-pollination
- Reduces variation within the population
- Increases vulnerability to environmental changes and disease
Cross-pollination
The transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species
Advantages of cross-pollination
- Increases variation within the population
- Reduces vulnerability to environmental changes and disease
Disadvantages of cross-pollination
- Relies on pollinators to transport the pollen from one plant to another
Petals of wind-pollinated flowers
- Small and usually dull in color due to a lack of needing to attract insects
Petals of insect-pollinated flowers
- Large and brightly colored to attract insect pollinators
Anthers of wind-pollinated flowers
- Loosely attached and dance outside the flower so pollen can be blown by wind
Anthers of insect-pollinated flowers
- Located inside the flower to brush against insects
Stigma of a wind-pollinated flower
- Loosely attached and dangle outside the flower to catch wind-borne pollen - feathery
Stigma of a insect-pollinated flower
- Located inside the flower to brush against insects