reproduction

Examples of reproduction in the following topics:

• Methods of Reproducing

  • Most importantly, reproduction is necessary for the survival of a species.
  • The known methods of reproduction are broadly grouped into two main types: sexual and asexual.
  • Organisms that reproduce through asexual reproduction tend to grow in number exponentially.
  • Sexual reproduction ensures a mixing of the gene pool of the species.
  • Female seahorses produce eggs for reproduction that are then fertilized by the male.

• Plant Reproductive Development and Structure

  • Plants have evolved different reproductive strategies for the continuation of their species.
  • Plant sexual reproduction usually depends on pollinating agents, while asexual reproduction is independent of these agents.
  • Vegetative reproduction is a type of asexual reproduction.
  • The flower is the reproductive organ of plants classified as angiosperms.
  • The basic function of a flower is to produce seeds through sexual reproduction.

• Asexual Reproduction in Plants

  • Many plants are able to propagate themselves using asexual reproduction.
  • Plants have two main types of asexual reproduction: vegetative reproduction and apomixis.
  • Many different types of roots exhibit vegetative reproduction .
  • This method of reproduction is known as apomixis.
  • Different types of stems allow for asexual reproduction.

• Reproductive Cloning

  • Reproductive cloning, possible through artificially-induced asexual reproduction, is a method used to make a clone of an entire organism.
  • Reproductive cloning is a method used to make a clone or an identical copy of an entire multicellular organism.
  • This idea forms the basis for reproductive cloning.
  • It can be used for either therapeutic cloning or reproductive cloning.
  • The success rate of reproductive cloning at the time was very low.

• Reproductive Isolation

  • Therefore, a prezygotic barrier is a mechanism that blocks reproduction from taking place; this includes barriers that prevent fertilization when organisms attempt reproduction.
  • Some types of prezygotic barriers prevent reproduction entirely.
  • Reproduction with the parent species ceases and a new group exists that is now reproductively and genetically independent.
  • These two related frog species exhibit temporal reproductive isolation.
  • Reproductive organ incompatibility keeps the species reproductively isolated.

• Fungi Reproduction

  • They may be released from the parent thallus, either outside or within a special reproductive sac called a sporangium.
  • Sexual reproduction introduces genetic variation into a population of fungi.
  • In fungi, sexual reproduction often occurs in response to adverse environmental conditions.
  • Although there are many variations in fungal sexual reproduction, all include the following three stages .
  • Fungi may utilize both asexual and sexual stages of reproduction; sexual reproduction often occurs in response to adverse environmental conditions.

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual Reproduction

  • Sexual reproduction was an early evolutionary innovation after the appearance of eukaryotic cells.
  • In many animals, it is actually the only mode of reproduction.
  • Scientists recognize some real disadvantages to sexual reproduction.
  • In addition, in asexual populations, every individual is capable of reproduction.
  • There are several possible explanations, one of which is that the variation that sexual reproduction creates among offspring is very important to the survival and reproduction of the population.

• The Evolution of Reproduction

  • Several competing scientific hypotheses have been proposed to explain the evolution of sexual reproduction.
  • The evolution of reproductive organs arrived with the development of gonads that produced sperm and eggs .
  • An early development in reproduction occurred in the Annelids.
  • Further evolution of reproductive systems resulted in the development of reproductive systems that are sex specific.
  • Another development in the evolution of reproduction is the means by which sperm is transferred.

• Types of Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

  • Asexual and sexual reproduction, two methods of reproduction among animals, produce offspring that are clones or genetically unique.
  • The queen bee controls the reproduction of the hive bees to regulate the type of bee produced.
  • Sexual reproduction is the combination of (usually haploid, or having a single set of unpaired chromosomes) reproductive cells from two individuals to form a third (usually diploid, or having a pair of each type of chromosome) unique offspring.
  • Sexual reproduction produces offspring with novel combinations of genes.
  • Hermaphroditism occurs in animals where one individual has both male and female reproductive parts.

• Animal Reproduction and Development

  • Most animals undergo sexual reproduction and have similar forms of development dictated by Hox genes.
  • Most animals are diploid organisms (their body, or somatic, cells are diploid) with haploid reproductive (gamete) cells produced through meiosis.
  • The majority of animals undergo sexual reproduction.
  • This fact distinguishes animals from fungi, protists, and bacteria where asexual reproduction is common or exclusive.
  • However, for animals that are limited in their capacity to attract mates, asexual reproduction can ensure genetic propagation.