NCERT Biology Chapter 1 Reproduction in organisms

CBSE NCERT Solutions for Class 12 biology Chapter 1

Exercises

Q.1. Why is reproduction essential for organisms?

Solution: Reproduction is one of the salient features of all living organisms. It is a biological process by which
organisms give birth to their offspring. The offspring develop, mature and again produce organisms of their
own kind.

Reproduction is a mode of multiplication and conservation of the pre-existing individuals giving rise to new
young ones as the older individuals are prone to deteriorate or face death. It also helps in increasing the number
of individuals of a particular species in the ecosystem.

It is considered as a model of conservation of species throughout the process of evolution. Genetic material is
often transferred from one generation to another, sometimes changing the composition due to crossing over of
genetic material, cell division or mutations.

Q.2. Explain why meiosis and gametogenesis are always interlinked?

Solution: Meiosis is a process of reductional cell division in which the chromosome number is reduced to half (i.e., from
2n to n). Gametogenesis is the process of formation of gametes which in males is called spermatogenesis and in
females is called oogenesis.

Even though an organism is a diploid, the germ cells present in the gonads undergo meiotic division to produce
haploid gametes i.e., sperm and ova. This is for maintaining the correct chromosome number of the species
reproducing sexually. Thus, meiosis and gametogenesis are always interlinked.

Q.3. Identify whether the part in a flowering plant is haploid or diploid.

Ovary
Diploid

Solution: The ovary is the primary female reproductive organ that produces the female gamete. The ovary is a diploid
structure. The ovule or the megasporangium inside the ovary produces megaspore mother cell that undergoes
meiosis to form four haploid megaspore cells.

Q.4. Identify whether the part in a flowering plant is haploid or diploid.

Anther
Diploid

Solution: The anther is the male reproductive part of a flower which is located at the upper end of the stamen. The anther
is a diploid structure. It bears the pollen grains or the microgametophytes.

Q.5. Identify whether the given part in a flowering plant is haploid or diploid.

Egg
haploid

Solution: The egg cell is the female gamete that develops in the ovary of a flowering plant. The egg is a haploid cell
formed as a result of meiosis. It is present at the top region of the female gametophyte or embryo sac with two
synergids on each side. This egg takes part in the fertilization where it fuses with the pollen (male reproductive
cell), which is also haploid to give rise to a diploid cell called zygote.

Q.6. Identify each part in a flowering plant and write whether it is haploid (n) or diploid (2n).

Pollen
Haploid

Solution: The pollen is the male gametophyte which is produced within the anther of a flowering plant. The pollen is
haploid in nature. This maintains the chromosome number of the zygote formed after fertilization.

Practice more on Reproduction in organisms Page 1 www.embibe.com

NCERT Biology Chapter 1 Reproduction in organisms

Q.7. Identify each part in a flowering plant and write whether it is haploid (n) or diploid (2n).
Male gamete
Haploid

Solution: The male gamete is the haploid reproductive cell. In a flowering plant, the generative nucleus divides to give
two equal nonmotile male nuclei or gametes. One of the male gametes fuses with the egg and the other fuses
with the secondary nucleus.

Q.8. Identify the following part in a flowering plant and write whether it is haploid or diploid.

Zygote
diploid

Solution: The zygote of a flowering plant is a diploid (2n) cell since it is formed by the fusion of the male gamete (n)
and female gamete (n). The zygote develops into an embryo by the process of mitosis.

Q.9. Define external fertilization. Mention its disadvantages.

Solution: External fertilisation is the fusion of female and male gametes (syngamy) that takes place outside the female
body. This method is common in amphibians and fish where a large number of gametes are released in the
surrounding water to increase the chances of syngamy.

The major disadvantages of external fertilisation are:

This type of fertilization requires an aquatic medium.

It reduces the chances of syngamy since the gametes are released in the water or external medium.
The chances of survival of the offspring are very less due to predators and environmental factors.
A large number of male and female gametes are wasted away.

Q.10. Differentiate between a zoospore and a zygote.

Solution: Zoospore Zygote

It is a microscopic reproductive structure produced It is a specialised cell obtained from the
Definition
by some species of fungi and algae. fusion of male and female gametes.

Zoospore Zygote
Motility It is motile with flagella for locomotion. It is non-motile.

Zoospore Zygote
Mode of It is formed as a result of asexual It is formed as a result of sexual
formation reproduction. reproduction.

Zoospore Zygote
Ploidy It can be haploid or diploid. It is a diploid cell.

Q.11. Differentiate between gametogenesis and embryogenesis.

Solution: Gametogenesis Embryogenesis

It is the process of formation of male and female It is a process of formation of an embryo from
Definition
gametes. a zygote.

Gametogenesis Embryogenesis
Occurrence It is a pre-fertilization event. It is a post-fertilization event.

Gametogenesis Embryogenesis
Type of This process involves meiotic division and This process involves mitotic division and
division forms haploid gametes. forms a diploid embryo.

Q.12. Describe the post-fertilization changes in a flower.

Practice more on Reproduction in organisms Page 2 www.embibe.com

NCERT Biology Chapter 1 Reproduction in organisms

Solution: A flower is the reproductive part of a plant where the event of fertilization occurs.
Sexual reproduction involves the following events:

Pre-fertilization
Fertilization
Post-fertilization

Post-fertilization events in a flower include zygote formation and embryogenesis.

Zygote formation:
In the event of fertilization, the fusion of male (sperm cell) and female (egg cell) gametes results in the
formation of a diploid fertilized egg called the zygote. It is formed inside the embryo sac and is nourished by
the endosperm. The zygote is a precursor to an embryo.

Embryogenesis:
It is the process of development of an embryo from the zygote. During embryogenesis, the zygote undergoes a
series of mitotic divisions forming a multicellular embryo which then undergoes cell differentiation to form
specialised tissues and organs with specific functions.

Q.13. What is a bisexual flower? Collect five bisexual flowers from your neighborhood and with the help of your teacher find out
their common and scientific names.

Solution: A bisexual flower is a type of flower that bears both the male and female reproductive structures i.e., stamen
and pistil, respectively.

In a bisexual flower, both self-pollination and cross pollination can take place since it contains both the
reproductive organs. Some examples of bisexual flowers include:

1. Common name: China rose, Scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

2. Common name: Tiger lily, Scientific name: Lilium lancifolium
3. Common name: Rose, Scientific name: Rosa stellata
4. Common name: Tomato, Scientific name: Solanum lycopersicum
5. Common name: Chili, Scientific name: Capsicum annuum

Q.14. Examine a few flowers in any Cucurbit plant and try to identify the staminate and pistillate flowers. Do you know any other
plant that bears unisexual flowers?

Solution:

Above diagrams are flowers of the Cucurbit plant where the left flower is a staminate and right is pistillate.

Cucurbits are monoecious plants that bear unisexual flowers. The staminate flowers have bright yellow-
coloured petals with stamens that are male reproductive structures. Pistillate flowers carry only carpels and
lack stamen. Examples of other plants that bear unisexual flowers are watermelon, bitter gourd, maize, papaya
etc.

Q.15. Why are the offspring of oviparous animals at a greater risk as compared to offspring of viviparous animals?

Solution: Oviparous animals are egg-laying animals, wherein the egg develops and hatches into young ones outside the
mother's body. Thus, the offspring do not receive much parental care, protection and proper nourishment. It is
prone to predators and also affected by environmental factors.

Viviparous animals are those that give birth to young ones, wherein the zygote develops and embryonic
development occurs inside the mother's body. In this case, the offspring receives proper nourishment and
protection from the mother's body. Thus, the offspring of oviparous animals at a greater risk as compared to
offspring of viviparous animals.

Q.16. Which is a better mode of reproduction: sexual or asexual? Why?

Practice more on Reproduction in organisms Page 3 www.embibe.com
NCERT Biology Chapter 1 Reproduction in organisms

Solution: Sexual reproduction is a better mode of reproduction compared to asexual reproduction. This process, involves
the combination of gametes of two parents, the male (sperm) and female (ova/egg), passing on both their
characters in the offspring. Therefore, in this case two different lines of heredity are brought together resulting
in genetic variation in a population. This forms the basis of evolution.

Whereas in asexual reproduction, it does not involve the transfer of genetic material, and hence, there are no
variations in the offspring.

The survival capacity is better in offsprings produced through sexual reproduction as compared to asexual
reproduction since variations help in increasing adaptability of the species in the changing environment.

Q.17. Why is the offspring formed by asexual reproduction referred to a clone?

Solution: Asexual reproduction doesn't involve the fusion of gametes, and hence, there is no exchange of genetic
material. The offspring produced will be identical to the parent organism. Crossing over and recombination
during meiosis and random fertilization of male and female gametes add genetic diversity to sexually
reproducing organisms and thus progeny is not identical to parents. Since there is no difference between the
parent and its progeny, morphologically or genetically, the progeny formed as a result of asexual reproduction
are often referred to as clones.

Q.18. Offspring formed due to sexual reproduction have better chances of survival. Why? Is this statement always true?

Solution: Offspring formed due to sexual reproduction have better chances of survival than those of asexual
reproduction. This statement is always true.

Sexual mode of reproduction involves the exchange of genetic material by meiosis and later fertilization which
brings in new genetic combinations in the offspring. These combinations often lead to genetic
variations. Genetic variations also serve as raw material for natural selection and the characters that
impart survival advantages are favoured.

Accumulation of these adaptive characters over generation makes the population better adapted and imparts
survival advantage. The variations are thus, a tool using which the further generations evolve to survive. An
example of this adaptability is sickle cell anaemia seen prevalent in people living near areas of Africa hard-hit
by the disease malaria.

Q.19. How does the progeny formed from asexual reproduction differ from those formed by sexual reproduction?

Solution: Progeny- Asexual

Characteristic Progeny- Sexual reproduction
reproduction
They are formed from a They are formed from two
Processes single parent which divides different parents by their gamete
involved further to produce (sperm and egg) formation and
daughter cells. its fusion.

Progeny- Asexual
Characteristic Progeny- Sexual reproduction
reproduction
They are formed as a They are formed as a result
Cell division
result of mitosis. of meiosis and mitosis.

Progeny- Sexual
Characteristic Progeny- Asexual reproduction
reproduction
They are identical to their parents, They are dissimilar to
Appearance of
genetically and morphologically, their parents and show
Offspring
and are called clones. variations.

Q.20. Distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction. Why is vegetative reproduction also considered as a type of asexual
reproduction?

Practice more on Reproduction in organisms Page 4 www.embibe.com

NCERT Biology Chapter 1 Reproduction in organisms

Solution: Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction

It is a mode of reproduction in
which the offspring is formed
Definition from a single parent and
doesn't involve the fusion of
gametes.
It is a mode of reproduction in
which the fusion of male
(sperm) and female (ova)
gametes results in the formation
of offspring.

Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction

The progeny is identical to the
Progeny
parent and is known as a clone.
The progeny is similar to both
the parents but differs
genetically.

Asexual
Sexual reproduction
reproduction
Genetic variations Genetic variations are phenotypic in
Characteristics cannot be the offspring produced by sexual
observed. reproduction.

Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction

It is usually observed in prokaryotic It is observed in
Occurrence
and unicellular organisms. multicellular organisms.

Vegetative propagation is a type of asexual reproduction observed in plants, in which a new plant arises from a
part of the parent plant or out of a specialised region of the plant. It does not involve the fusion of gametes.
Here, the plants reproduce from stem or tubers (potato, mint), leaves (Bryophyllum) or the roots (sweet potato,
tapioca). The structures from which the new plants arise are called as vegetative propagules.

Q.21. What is vegetative propagation? Give two suitable examples.

Solution: Vegetative propagation is a type of asexual reproduction observed in plants, in which a new plant arises from a
part of the parent plant or out of a specific region. It is a natural process but can also be induced artificially.
Artificial vegetative propagation is used in horticulture to produce desirable traits in the yield as the new plants
are exact duplicates of the parent plants. The offsprings of vegetative propagation are genetic clones of their
parent plants.

Here, the plants reproduce from stem or tubers (potato, mint), leaves (Bryophyllum), roots (sweet potato,
tapioca) or reproductive parts such as bulbs or seeds (onion, Agave). The structures from which the new plants
arise are called as vegetative propagules.

Q.22. Define: Juvenile phase

Solution: Juvenile phase refers to the period of growth and maturity in an organism until it is capable of reproducing
sexually. It is the phase between birth and sexual maturity of an individual. This phase is termed as a vegetative
phase in plants.

Q.23. Define: Reproductive phase

Solution: The reproductive phase is the period when an organism is capable of reproducing sexually. This phase marks
the end of the juvenile phase. In humans, the reproductive phase starts at puberty.

Q.24. Define senescent phase.

Solution: The senescent phase is the period of biological ageing when a sexually reproducing organism begins to grow
old and loses its ability to reproduce. This phase occurs after the reproductive phase of an individual. Over
time, large numbers of old cells can build up in tissues throughout the body.

Q.25. Higher organisms have resorted to sexual reproduction in spite of its complexity. Why?

Practice more on Reproduction in organisms Page 5 www.embibe.com

NCERT Biology Chapter 1 Reproduction in organisms

Solution: The higher organisms have resorted to sexual reproduction in spite of its complexity because the sexual mode
of reproduction involves the combination of genetic materials from male and female gametes (Sperm and Ova)
of the parents. Since it involves organisms having different lines of heredity, it results in genetic variations in a
population. This forms the basis of evolution.

These variations provide better chances of survival to the new individuals produced through sexual mode than
the asexual mode offsprings that are clones of its parents. It allows the organisms with better adaptations to
cope up with various environmental conditions and thus, make the organism better suited for living in it.

Practice more on Reproduction in organisms Page 6 www.embibe.com

NCERT Biology Chapter 1 Reproduction in organisms

Practice more on Reproduction in organisms Page 7 www.embibe.com