Asexual Reproduction

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a key difference between sexual reproduction in higher plants and lower plants?

Higher plants always require water for fertilization, whereas lower plants do not.
Lower plants depend primarily on seed dispersal, while higher plants rely on spores.
Higher plants have a well-developed vascular system to aid in reproduction, while lower plants lack this. (correct)
Lower plants exhibit more complex mechanisms for pollination than higher plants.

In animals, what is the primary advantage of sexual reproduction compared to asexual reproduction?

Sexual reproduction requires less energy investment from the parents.
Sexual reproduction generates greater genetic variation, aiding in adaptation. (correct)
Sexual reproduction maintains genetic uniformity within a population.
Sexual reproduction is significantly faster and more efficient.

How does the process of double fertilization uniquely contribute to sexual reproduction in higher plants?

It prevents self-pollination, promoting genetic diversity.
It ensures that the ovule develops into fruit, protecting the seed.
It causes the development of two embryos within a single seed.
It results in the formation of both the embryo and the endosperm, which nourishes the developing embryo. (correct)

Which of the following statements accurately compares reproductive strategies in higher animals versus lower animals?

Lower animals generally exhibit external fertilization, while higher animals typically exhibit internal fertilization. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What evolutionary advantage do seeds provide to higher plants compared to the spores of lower plants?

Seeds contain a multicellular embryo and a food reserve, offering a better start for the new plant. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which reproductive structure is common in lower plants but absent in higher plants?

Spores (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of a placenta in higher mammals enhance reproductive success?

It provides nourishment and waste removal for the developing fetus. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of fragmentation as a reproductive strategy in lower plants?

It is a form of asexual reproduction where a part of the plant breaks off and develops into a new individual. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the life cycle of ferns differ from that of flowering plants in terms of reproduction?

Ferns require water for fertilization, while flowering plants do not always. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do dioecious plant species (separate male and female plants) gain in reproduction compared to monoecious species (male and female flowers on the same plant)?

Enhanced genetic diversity through outcrossing (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the amnion benefit the developing embryo in reptiles and mammals?

It cushions and protects the embryo in a fluid-filled sac. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the pollen tube in the sexual reproduction of higher plants?

It transports the male gametes to the egg cell. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of a seed coat in higher plants contribute to their survival and reproductive success?

It protects the embryo from harsh environmental conditions and physical damage. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key difference between oviparity and viviparity in animal reproduction?

Oviparity involves the development of the embryo inside an egg laid outside the mother's body, while viviparity involves development inside the mother's body. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the evolutionary advantage of the development of fruits in angiosperms?

Fruits aid in seed dispersal by animals or wind. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the process of budding in lower animals, such as hydra, differ from sexual reproduction?

Budding results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent, while sexual reproduction produces genetically diverse offspring. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role do pheromones play in animal reproduction, particularly in lower animals?

They serve as chemical signals to attract mates and synchronize reproductive behavior. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do endosperms in plant seeds enhance the survival rate of seedlings?

They provide a source of nutrients for the developing embryo. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the evolution of internal fertilization in higher vertebrates?

It reduces the reliance on water for reproduction. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does vegetative propagation contribute to plant reproduction?

It allows for rapid colonization of new environments. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the evolution of parental care considered an important adaptation in animal reproduction strategies?

It increases the survival rate of offspring. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the integument play in plant reproduction?

Develops into the seed coat, protecting the embryo (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately compares reproduction in sponges and mammals?

Sponges primarily reproduce asexually, while mammals reproduce sexually. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of specialized vascular tissues impact reproduction in higher plants?

Enables efficient transport of nutrients and hormones for flower and seed development (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the scrotum in mammalian reproduction?

To regulate the temperature of the testes for optimal sperm production (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the process of parthenogenesis differ in higher versus lower animals, if at all?

Parthenogenesis occurs in both, but is obligate in some lower animals and facultative in some higher animals. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies is a significant adaptation in higher plants that reduces reliance on water for fertilization?

Development of a pollen tube to deliver sperm directly to the ovule (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of accessory glands (e.g., seminal vesicles, prostate gland) in the male reproductive system of higher animals?

Secreting fluids that nourish and protect sperm (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does seed dormancy benefit higher plants?

It allows seeds to survive unfavorable conditions until suitable germination conditions arise. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A key difference between the estrous cycle in non-primate mammals and the menstrual cycle in primates is that:

The estrous cycle is characterized by a period of sexual receptivity (heat), while the menstrual cycle does not always correlate with receptivity. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How might environmental pollutants affect reproduction in both plants and animals?

Pollutants can disrupt endocrine signaling, gamete production, and embryo development. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What evolutionary advantage does external fertilization provide to aquatic animals?

Allows for the release of large quantities of gametes, increasing the probability of fertilization (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a difference between the reproductive strategies of reptiles and amphibians?

Reptiles lay shelled eggs, which protect the developing embryo from desiccation, whereas amphibians typically lay their eggs in water. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does apomixis in plants differ from regular sexual reproduction?

Apomixis results in genetically identical offspring without fertilization, bypassing meiosis. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the corpus luteum in mammalian reproduction?

It secretes hormones (progesterone) to maintain the uterine lining during early pregnancy. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the evolution of flowers and pollinators contribute to biodiversity?

It promotes co-evolution, leading to specialized relationships and increased speciation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role do myometrium contractions play during mammalian parturition (childbirth)?

They expel the fetus from the uterus. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of acrosome in sperm?

Contains enzymes that help sperm penetrate the egg (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the formation of a chiasma during meiosis contribute to genetic diversity during sexual reproduction?

It facilitates crossing over, leading to the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does the presence of a large yolk sac provide to the developing embryo in oviparous animals?

It provides a rich source of nutrients for the developing embryo. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In what ways might climate change affect plant and animal reproductive cycles?

Climate change can alter breeding seasons, migration patterns, and synchronization of reproductive events. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What primary challenge do terrestrial higher plants face during sexual reproduction compared to aquatic lower plants?

Preventing desiccation of gametes and developing embryos. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following adaptations is most critical for the successful reproduction of reptiles in terrestrial environments?

Development of a shelled, amniotic egg. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the heterosporous nature of some higher plants provide an evolutionary advantage over homosporous lower plants?

It provides increased genetic diversity due to separate sexes and potential for outcrossing. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the synergid cells in the embryo sac of angiosperms?

To attract the pollen tube and guide it to the egg cell. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In mammals, what is the adaptive significance of the prolonged gestation period in placental mammals compared to marsupials?

It enables more complete development of the offspring within a protected environment. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the evolution of seeds contribute to the dominance of angiosperms and gymnosperms in terrestrial ecosystems?

Seeds protect the embryo and provide nutrients, aiding in dispersal and survival in diverse environments. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mechanisms contributes most significantly to genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms?

Independent assortment and crossing over during meiosis. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role do hormones play in coordinating reproductive events in higher animals?

They regulate the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the timing of reproductive cycles. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does fragmentation, as a method of asexual reproduction, allow certain lower plants to quickly colonize new environments?

It allows for rapid population growth by producing multiple identical individuals from a single parent. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of plant reproduction, what is the selective advantage of delayed fertilization in some angiosperms?

It allows the plant to conserve resources until environmental conditions are favorable for seed development. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the evolution of parental care considered a significant reproductive adaptation in animals?

It increases the survival rate of offspring by protecting them from predators and providing nourishment. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the tapetum in the anther of a flowering plant?

To nourish developing pollen grains. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of a well-developed vascular system facilitate reproduction in higher plants?

It enables the transport of water and nutrients to developing reproductive structures and seeds. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the allantois in the amniotic egg of reptiles and birds?

It facilitates gas exchange and stores waste products. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a unique characteristic of sexual reproduction in angiosperms?

Double fertilization, resulting in both a zygote and endosperm. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the seed coat benefit higher plants?

Protecting the embryo from desiccation and physical damage. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which reproductive strategy provides the greatest potential for rapid adaptation to changing environmental conditions?

Sexual reproduction with high rates of outcrossing. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the suspensor in plant embryogenesis?

To anchor the embryo and facilitate nutrient transfer from the parent plant. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the sperm acrosome play in animal fertilization?

Contains enzymes that help the sperm penetrate the egg. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In mammals, how does internal fertilization increase the likelihood of reproductive success compared to external fertilization?

It ensures a higher rate of fertilization and provides a protected environment for embryonic development. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the evolutionary advantage of fruit development in angiosperms?

Fruits aid in seed dispersal by animals or wind. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which cellular process contributes most to maintaining the chromosome number during asexual reproduction?

Mitosis (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role do accessory glands play in the male reproductive system?

Secrete seminal fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does a pollen tube support fertilization in angiosperms?

It transports sperm cells directly to the egg cell within the ovule. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of the integument?

Develops into the seed coat. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In what way might climate change and associated changes in temperature affect plant reproduction?

Shift flowering times that disrupt plant-pollinator interactions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the evolution of flowers and co-evolution with pollinators increase biodiversity?

By fostering specialized relationships that drive diversification in both plants and animals. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What purpose does the scrotum serve in mammalian reproduction?

Protecting the testes and maintaining optimal temperature for spermatogenesis. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the corpus luteum in mammalian reproduction?

Secreting hormones (primarily progesterone) to maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which process is directly facilitated by contractions of the myometrium?

Parturition (childbirth). (B) Signup and view all the answers

What key advantage is gained by plants that exhibit apomixis?

Production of offspring genetically identical to the parent without fertilization. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does the presence of a large yolk sac provide to the developing embryo?

It supplies abundant nutrition, supporting the embryo till hatching or birth. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How can pollution disrupt reproductive cycles in both plants and animals?

By mimicking or blocking natural hormones, disrupting endocrine function and reproductive behavior. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major function of the amnion in reptile and mammal embryos?

Protection in a fluid-filled cavity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is parthenogenesis?

A form of asexual reproduction where an egg develops without fertilization. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction involves the creation of clones. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Reproduction

The creation of new living organisms from existing ones in both plants and animals.

Lower Plants

Plants that do not have a vascular system (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.

Higher Plants

Plants that possess a vascular system, enabling efficient transport of water and nutrients throughout the plant.

Animals

Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms in the biological kingdom Animalia. They obtain nutrients by ingestion.