CHAPTER – 8
HOW ORGANISMS
REPRODUCE
1) Reproduction :-
Reproduction is the process by which living organisms
produce new individuals of the same species.
Reproduction is necessary for the survival and increase
in the population of a species. If organisms do not
reproduce, their population decreases and species will
become extinct.
2) Do organisms create carbon copies of
themselves ?
The DNA (Deoxyribo nucleic acid) molecules in the
chromosomes in the nucleus is responsible for the transfer
of characters from the parents to the off springs. During
reproduction the reproductive cells produce two copies of
the DNA which separate into two cells. The DNA copies will
be similar but not identical to each other. So the new
individuals have slight variations from their parents. This is
the basis for variations and evolution of new species.
3) The importance of variation:-
DNA copying during reproduction is important for
maintaining the body designs of different organisms to
survive in the existing environment. But the environment is
constantly changing due to changes in temperature,
climate, water levels etc. If organisms cannot adjust
themselves to the changes in the environment then their
species will become extinct.
If there are variations in some individuals of a species
they may be able to survive the changes in the
environment.
So variations in species is necessary for the survival of
different species and for the evolution of new species.
4) Types of reproduction:-
There are two main types of reproduction in living organisms. They
are asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction.
Asexual reproduction :- is reproduction in which new individuals
are produced from a single parent.
Sexual reproduction :- is reproduction in which two individuals
are involved to produce a new individual.
Asexual reproduction is of different types. They are:- fission,
budding, regeneration, fragmentation, spore formation, vegetative
propagation etc.
i) Fission :-
Fission is an asexual reproduction by which a unicellular
organism divides and forms two or more new individuals.
Fission is of two types. They are binary fission and multiple
fission.
i) Binary fission :- In this method an organism divides and
forms two individuals. First the nucleus divides and forms
two nuclei. Then the cytoplasm divides and forms two
daughter cells. Eg:- Amoeba, Paramaecium etc.
ii) Multiple fission :- In this method one organism divides
into many daughter cells. Eg.Plasmodium (Malarial parasite).
ii) Budding :-
In this method a bud like projection is formed on the
body of the organism. The bud then develops into a new
individual. It then separates from the parent and forms an
independent individual. Eg:- Hydra, Yeast etc.
bud
bud
iii) Regeneration :-
In this method a part of the body if the organism if cut or
broken can develop into a new individual. Eg :- Hydra,
Planaria, etc.
iv) Fragmentation :-
In this method the body of a simple multicellular
organism breaks up into smaller pieces on maturation and
each fragment develops into new individuals.
Eg :- Spirogyra.
v) Spore formation :-
In this method structures called sporangia produce tiny
cells called spores. When the spores come in contact with a
moist surface, it develops into new individuals.
Eg :- Rhizopus , Mucor, Penicillium etc.
vi) Vegetative propagation :-
In this method new plants are produced from the vegetative parts of
the plant like root, stem or leaf. Eg:- from roots – dhalia, sweet potato,
from stem – potato, ginger, from leaf – bryophyllum, begonia.
Plants produced by vegetative propagation produce flowers and
fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. It also helps in the
propagation of plants which do not produce seeds like rose, jasmine
banana etc.
Vegetative propagation can also be done artificially by cutting,
layering, grafting etc.
5) Sexual reproduction in flowering plants :-
a) Reproductive parts of a flower :-
The stamen and pistil are the reproductive parts of the
flower. Stamen is the male reproductive part. It produces
pollen grains in the anther which contains the male germ
cell (male gamete). Pistil is the female reproductive part. It
produces ovules in the ovary which contain the female
germ cell (female gamete).
b) Pollination :-
The transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma
of a flower is called pollination. It takes place by wind, water
or insects. If the pollen grains are transferred from the
anther to the stigma of the same flower it is self pollination
and if it is transferred from the anther of one flower to the
stigma of another flower it is cross pollination. Pollination
takes place by insects, wind, water etc.
Cross pollination
Self pollination
SEPALS: Provides support to the petals, provide protection to the flower during budding
stage.
PETALS: Attract insects, flies or birds for pollination
Stamen: Male reproductive part composed of anther and filament
Anther: produces male gametes called pollen .
STIGMA: Platform for attracting/ collecting pollens
OVARY: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE PART AND PRODUCES FEMALE GAMETE- OVA
FILAMENT: an attachment between anther and base of a flower
STYLE: Provides passage for pollen tube to reach ova.
UNISEXUAL : Flowers which have either male or female reproductive organs present in
them. EX: CUCUMBER
BISEXUAL : FLOWERS WHICH HAVE BOTH MALE AND FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
PRESENT IN THEM. EX: HIBISCUS
1. FAST
2. NO. OF ORGANISM PRODUCES IS MANY – INCREASES SURVIVAL RATE
3. GENETICALLY IDENTICAL – CAN SURVIVE BETTER UNDER STABLE CONDITION
4. NO MATE/INTERCOURSE IS REQUIRED
5. NO STDs
6. Energy efficient
STEP -1 : FORMATION /DEVELOPMENT OF POLLEN INSIDE THE ANTHER
STEP 2: POLLINATION – SELF /CROSS POLLINATION
STEP 3 : LANDING OF POLLEN ON STIGMA
STEP 4 : FORMATION OF POLLEN TUBE .
len tube and double fertilization
c) Fertilisation :-
After the pollen grain is
transferred to the stigma it
produces a pollen tube which
passes through the style and
enters the ovary and ovule. In
the ovule the male germ cell
(male gamete) fuses with the
female germ cell (female
gamete) to form a zygote. This
process is called fertilisation.
After fertilisation the zygote
divides several times and forms
the embryo which then develops
into the seed and the ovary
develops into the fruit.
