International Indian School Dammam

GS E-Learning Notes Class 8

L-9 Reproduction in Animals Prepared by Sowmya Rajesh

I. Define the following:

a) Reproduction: It is the process by which the living organisms produce young ones of
their own kind
b) IVF or in vitro Fertilisation: The fertilisation of an egg that takes place outside the
body in a test tube or in any other apparatus is known IVF or In vitro fertilisation.
c) Fertilisation: The fusion of a sperm with an egg is called fertilisation. During
fertilisation, the nuclei of the sperm and the egg fuse to form a single nucleus. This result
in the formation of a fertilised egg called Zygote.
d) Embryo: The zygote divides repeatedly to form a ball of cells that develop into different
tissues and organs of the body . This developing multicellular structure is termed as an
embryo.
e) Foetus: The stage of embryo in which all the body parts can be identified is known as
foetus.
f) Budding: It is the type of asexual reproduction in which new individuals develop from
the buds in the organism.eg Hydra.
g) Binary Fission: The process of reproduction in which an animal reproduces by dividing
into two individuals is known as binary fission. Example, Amoeba .

II. Answer the following:

1. Explain the importance of reproduction in organisms.

Ans. Reproduction is essential for the survival of organisms. It ensures the continuation
of similar kinds of individuals, generation after generation.

2. Differentiate between

a) Sexual and Asexual reproduction.

Sexual Reproduction Asexual Reproduction
Reproduction which takes place by the Reproduction in which only a single
fusion of male and female gametes. parent is involved.
Takes place in humans, cow etc Takes place in hydra, amoeba etc
 b) Internal and External Fertilisation
Internal Fertilisation
The type of fertilisation in which the
fusion of a male and a female gamete
takes place inside the body of the female
is called internal fertilisation.
Example- Cows, Human beings and hens
External Fertilisation
The type of fertilisation in which the
fusion of a male and a female gamete
takes place outside the body of the female
is called external fertilisation.
Example- Aquatic animals like fishes and
amphibians like frogs

c) Zygote and Foetus

Zygote Foetus
Zygote is the fertilized egg formed after The stage of embryo in which all the body
the fusion of male and female gametes. parts can be identified.
Zygote is a single cell Foetus is multicellular.

d) Oviparous and Viviparous Animals

Oviparous Animal Viviparous Animal

Animals which reproduce by laying eggs Animals which give birth to young ones
are called oviparous animals are called as viviparous animals
Example: Fish, Frog, Lizard, Butterfly Example: Dog, Cow, Cat, Human beings
etc.

3. Name the Reproductive Parts in Humans.

Ans. Male: The reproductive organs in males include a pair of testes, two sperm ducts
and a penis.
Female: The reproductive organs in the female include a pair of ovaries, oviducts
(fallopian tubes) and the uterus.

4. Describe sperm (male gamete) with the help of a diagram.

Ans. Millions of sperms are produced by the testes. Each sperm is a single cell with all
the usual components. It has a head, a middle piece and a tail.

.
 5. Describe the process of fertilisation in human beings with the help of diagram

Ans. In the process of fertilisation, sperms come in contact with an ovum (egg). One
of the sperms may fuse with the egg. The nuclei of the sperm and the egg fuse to form a
single nucleus resulting in the formation of a fertilised egg called zygote. In human
being, the fertilisation takes place inside the female body.

6. Describe the process of fertilization in frogs and toads.

Ans. The frogs and toads reproduce by laying eggs in a slow stream or ponds. The female
frogs first lay hundreds of eggs in the water. These eggs are not covered with any hard
shell instead there is a jelly-like substance that guards them all and holds them together.
As the female frogs lay their eggs, the male frogs deposit the sperms over them.. This
results in fertilisation. As the fertilisation takes place outside the body of the female,
therefore it is type of External Fertilisation.

7. Why do fish and frogs lay hundreds of eggs ?

Ans. These animals lay hundreds of eggs but all the eggs do not fertilise and develop into
new individuals. The eggs get exposed to water movement, wind and rainfall. Other
animals also feed on eggs. Thus, production of large number of eggs ensure fertilisation
of at least few of them

8. Explain the process of fertilization in hen.

Ans. Internal fertilisation takes place in hens. Soon after fertilisation, the zygote divides
repeatedly and travels down the oviduct. As it travels down, many protective layers are
formed around it. The hard shell is one such protective layer. After the hard shell is
formed around the developing embryo, the hen lays the egg. It takes almost 3 weeks for
the embryo to develop into a chick. In this time period, the hen sits over the egg to
provide it with warmth. After the chick is completely developed it bursts open the egg
shell.

9. Explain Invitro Fertilisation (IVF)

Ans. In some women, the oviducts are blocked. These women are unable to bear babies
because sperms cannot reach the egg for fertilisation. In such cases, doctors collect
 freshly released egg and sperms and keep them together for a few hours for IVF or in
vitro fertilization. The zygote thus formed is allowed to develop for a week outside the
female body in safe conditions and is then placed in the woman's uterus. Complete
development takes place in the uterus. The babies that are born with the IVF process are
called Test Tube Babies.

10. Explain the process of development of human embryo.

Ans. After the fertilization, the zygote divides repeatedly to give rise to a ball of cells. These
cells then form different groups that develop into different tissues and organs. This
structure is called an Embryo. The embryo embeds itself into the uterus wall and
continues to develop and grow. Soon the body parts such as hands, legs, feet, eyes and
ears start developing. The stage of the embryo in which all body parts can be identified is
called a Foetus. The foetus then completely develops and takes birth as a baby.

11. What is Metamorphosis? Write the different stages of life cycle of frog and silk
worm.

Ans. The transformation of the larva into an adult through drastic changes is called
Metamorphosis. Eg: butterfly and frog

Life cycle of Frog: Eggs →early tadpole →Late tadpole →Adult Frog

Life cycle of Silk Worm: Eggs→Larva (caterpillar) →Pupa → adult moth

12. Describe two methods of asexual reproduction in animals.

Ans. Binary fission in Amoeba: It begins the process of reproduction by the division of its
nucleus into two nuclei. This is followed by division of its body into two, each part
receiving a nucleus. Finally, two daughter amoebae are produced from one parent
amoeba. This type of asexual reproduction in which an animal reproduces by dividing
into two individuals is called binary fission.
 Budding In Hydra
In Hydra, the organism develops a bulge called bud which further develops into an
adult organism and separates itself from the parent body to lead an independent life.
Since the new individuals develop from the buds in hydra, this type of asexual
reproduction is called budding. Budding in Hydra

13. What is cloning? Name the scientist who cloned the mammal for the first time.

Ans: Cloning is the production of an exact copy of a cell, any other living part, or a complete
organism. Cloning of an animal was successfully performed for the first time by Ian Wilmut
and his colleagues at the Roslin Institute in Edinbrgh, Scotland . They successfully cloned a
sheep named Dolly on 5th July 1996.