Chapter 1: Animal Biology Course General information on reproduction Dr.

LOUDJANI f

Chapter I :
GENERAL INFORMATION ON REPRODUCTION
I- Introduction :
In most multicellular organisms, the reproductive function requires 2 sexes: male and
female, each of the 2 being capable of producing specialized sex cells: the gametes.
These are the spermatozoa in the male and the ovum in the female.

The organs that produce the gametes are called gonads: the testicles in the in males
and ovaries in females, which form part of the body's male or female or female
genitalia.

Reproduction is ensured by the meeting of two gametes, male and female gametes.
This is called fecundation, and involves the fusion of a spermatozoon with an ovum,
resulting in an egg or zygote.

During gametogenesis (spermatogenesis in the male and ovogenesis in the

ovogenesis in females), the number of chromosomes is halved, and each sex
chromosomes, and each sex cell contributes nchr. (gametes are haploid), and
fertilization restores the diploid form (2n chr).

II- Reproduction levels :

There are 2 levels of reproduction:

- Asexual reproduction

- Sexual reproduction

1- Asexual reproduction :

Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction which, in contrast to sexual

reproduction the ability of living organisms to multiply on their own, without a
partner, without involving the fusion of two gametes of opposite sexes.

It is a widespread form of reproduction among single-celled organisms. Examples

include:

➢ Simple division: example of the Amoeba

➢ Multiple division: example of Plasmodium

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Chapter 1: Animal Biology Course General information on reproduction Dr.LOUDJANI f

➢ Budding: example of the Hydra

➢ Fragmentation or sectioning: example of the earthworm.

Earthworm

2- Sexual reproduction :

This is the case for higher organisms. In this form of reproduction, both sexes can :

- be carried by the same individual: it is said to be bisexual and is a hermaphroditic

species.

- or be completely separate: the individuals are unisexual and the species is

gonochoric.

- Parthenogenesis, from the Greek word parthenos ("virgin") and genesis.

Reproduction single-parent reproduction from a single female gamete (usually
ovules), e.g. in insects.

III- Forms of sexual reproduction:

1- Oviparous species:

These are species that lay eggs. Reproduction is achieved by the deposit of eggs by
the female in the external environment, regardless of the nature of fertilization,
which can be either internal (terrestrial organisms, e.g. birds) or external (aquatic
organisms, e.g. sea urchins).

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Chapter 1: Animal Biology Course General information on reproduction Dr.LOUDJANI f

Bird Sea urchin

2- Viviparous species :

The female gives birth to live young. This form is characterized by internal
fecundating intrauterine fetal development, and the presence of a placenta ensuring
all feto-maternal exchanges. This is the case of mammals.

Fennec

3- Ovoviviparous species:

Embryonic development takes place in the mother's body, but in an egg. This is
characterized by internal fertilization. Its diet will depend on the egg's nutrient
reserves of the fertilized egg.

When the time comes to give birth, hatching takes place in the mother's womb, and
and the fully-developed young emerge as in a viviparous birth. Some snakes and fish
give birth to fully formed young instead of laying eggs.

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