Q1. What is reproduction?

Ans: The biological process by which living organisms produce new individuals of their own kind.

Q2. Name the two main types of reproduction.

Ans: Asexual reproduction and Sexual reproduction.

Q3. Define asexual reproduction.

Ans: A mode of reproduction involving a single parent without gamete fusion, producing identical offspring.

Q4. Give examples of organisms reproducing asexually.

Ans: Amoeba (binary fission), Hydra (budding), Yeast (budding).

Q5. What are clones?

Ans: Offspring produced by asexual reproduction that are genetically identical to the parent.

Q6. Define sexual reproduction.

Ans: Reproduction involving two parents, formation and fusion of gametes, and genetic variation in offspring.

Q7. What are the three stages of sexual reproduction?

Ans: Pre-fertilization, Fertilization, and Post-fertilization events.

Q8. Define gametogenesis.

Ans: The process of formation of male and female gametes.

Q9. What is syngamy?

Ans: The fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote.

Q10. What is zygote?

Ans: The diploid cell formed after fusion of male and female gametes.

Q11. What are post-fertilization events?

Ans: Events after fertilization like zygote formation, embryogenesis, and seed/fruit development in plants.

Q12. Define embryogenesis.

Ans: The process of development of the embryo from the zygote.

Q13. What is vegetative propagation?

Ans: Asexual reproduction in plants through roots, stems, or leaves, e.g., potato tuber, onion bulb.

Q14. Mention an advantage of vegetative propagation.

Ans: Plants produced are genetically identical and preserve desirable traits.

Q15. What is the juvenile phase?

Ans: The period of growth before an organism attains reproductive maturity.

Q16. Define reproductive phase.

Ans: The phase in which organisms reproduce sexually to produce offspring.

Q17. What is senescence?

Ans: The phase of ageing leading to decline in reproductive capacity and death.

Q18. Differentiate between seasonal and continuous breeders.

Ans: Seasonal breeders reproduce in specific seasons (e.g., deer), while continuous breeders reproduce throughout the year (e.g., humans).

Q19. Define unisexual organisms.

Ans: Organisms having either male or female reproductive organs, e.g., human beings.

Q20. Define bisexual organisms.

Ans: Organisms having both male and female reproductive organs, e.g., earthworm, hibiscus.

Q21. What is binary fission?

Ans: A form of asexual reproduction where the parent divides into two daughter cells, e.g., Amoeba.

Q22. What is budding?

Ans: A form of asexual reproduction where a new individual develops from a small outgrowth, e.g., Hydra, Yeast.

Q23. What is sporulation?

Ans: Formation of spores which grow into new organisms, e.g., Rhizopus.

Q24. What is parthenogenesis?

Ans: Development of a new organism from an unfertilized egg, e.g., honeybees, some lizards.

Q25. Give one significance of sexual reproduction.

Ans: It introduces genetic variation which is important for evolution.

Q26. What is self-pollination?

Ans: Transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant.

Q27. What is cross-pollination?

Ans: Transfer of pollen grains from anther of one plant to stigma of another plant of the same species.

Q28. Define dioecious plants.

Ans: Plants in which male and female flowers are borne on separate individuals, e.g., papaya.

Q29. Define monoecious plants.

Ans: Plants in which male and female flowers are borne on the same individual, e.g., maize.

Q30. What is fertilization in plants called?

Ans: Double fertilization, involving syngamy and triple fusion.

Q31. What are oviparous animals?

Ans: Animals that lay eggs outside the body; development occurs outside, e.g., birds, reptiles.

Q32. What are viviparous animals?

Ans: Animals that give birth to young ones directly, e.g., mammals like humans, dogs, cows.

Q33. Which type of reproduction leads to more variation?

Ans: Sexual reproduction, as it involves genetic recombination.

Q34. Name an organism reproducing by fragmentation.

Ans: Spirogyra reproduces asexually by fragmentation.

Q35. Give an example of an organism showing alternation of generations.

Ans: Ferns and mosses exhibit alternation of generations between gametophyte and sporophyte.

Q36. What is the significance of meiosis in reproduction?

Ans: Meiosis produces haploid gametes and introduces variation via crossing over and recombination.

Q37. Name the type of reproduction found in bacteria.

Ans: Asexual reproduction by binary fission.

Q38. What is external fertilization?

Ans: Fertilization occurring outside the female body, e.g., frogs and many fish.

Q39. What is internal fertilization?

Ans: Fertilization occurring inside the female body, e.g., mammals, reptiles, birds.

Q40. What are apomictic seeds?

Ans: Seeds formed without fertilization, e.g., some varieties of grasses and citrus.

Q41. Define hermaphrodite.

Ans: An organism having both male and female reproductive organs, e.g., earthworm.

Q42. Give one disadvantage of asexual reproduction.

Ans: Lack of genetic variation, making organisms more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes.

Q43. What are gemmules?

Ans: Internal buds in sponges used for asexual reproduction and survival under unfavorable conditions.

Q44. Give one importance of zygote.

Ans: Zygote is the first diploid cell that marks the beginning of a new individual.

Q45. Define embryophytes.

Ans: Land plants where zygote develops into a multicellular embryo within the parent tissue.

Q46. Give two organisms showing vegetative reproduction.

Ans: Potato (tubers) and Bryophyllum (leaf buds).

Q47. Why is sexual reproduction considered superior?

Ans: It introduces genetic variation, helping in evolution and adaptation.

Q48. Name two animals showing external fertilization.

Ans: Frog and Labeo (Rohu fish).

Q49. Name two animals showing internal fertilization.

Ans: Humans and birds.

Q50. Why is reproduction essential for living organisms?

Ans: Reproduction ensures the continuity of species and maintenance of life on Earth.