Reproduction in Biology

Reproduction in Biology

Types of Reproduction

• Asexual Reproduction: a single parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent, e.g., binary fission in bacteria, budding in yeast
• Sexual Reproduction: two parents produce offspring that combine genetic material from both parents, e.g., humans, animals, plants

Sexual Reproduction Stages

1. Meiosis: the process of cell division that produces gametes (sperm or egg cells) with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell
2. Gametogenesis: the development of gametes from immature cells
3. Fertilization: the fusion of a sperm and an egg cell to form a zygote
4. Embryogenesis: the development of a zygote into a multicellular organism

Reproductive Strategies

• R-Selection: producing many offspring with minimal parental investment, e.g., fish, insects
• K-Selection: producing few offspring with high parental investment, e.g., humans, birds

Human Reproduction

• Male Reproductive System: consists of testes, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate gland, urethra, and penis
• Female Reproductive System: consists of ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina
• Menstrual Cycle: the monthly cycle of ovulation, fertilization, and preparation for pregnancy in females

Reproductive Technologies

• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): fertilization of an egg cell outside the body
• Artificial Insemination (AI): insertion of sperm into the female reproductive tract
• Surrogacy: a woman carries a pregnancy to term for another person or couple

Reproduction in Biology

Types of Reproduction

• Asexual reproduction involves a single parent producing offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.
• Examples of asexual reproduction include binary fission in bacteria and budding in yeast.
• Sexual reproduction involves two parents producing offspring that combine genetic material from both parents.
• Examples of sexual reproduction include humans, animals, and plants.

Sexual Reproduction Stages

• Meiosis is the process of cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
• Gametogenesis is the development of gametes from immature cells.
• Fertilization is the fusion of a sperm and an egg cell to form a zygote.
• Embryogenesis is the development of a zygote into a multicellular organism.

Reproductive Strategies

• R-Selection involves producing many offspring with minimal parental investment, often seen in fish and insects.
• K-Selection involves producing few offspring with high parental investment, often seen in humans and birds.

Human Reproduction

• The male reproductive system consists of testes, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate gland, urethra, and penis.
• The female reproductive system consists of ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina.
• The menstrual cycle is the monthly cycle of ovulation, fertilization, and preparation for pregnancy in females.

Reproductive Technologies

• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) involves fertilization of an egg cell outside the body.
• Artificial Insemination (AI) involves insertion of sperm into the female reproductive tract.
• Surrogacy involves a woman carrying a pregnancy to term for another person or couple.