CHAPTER 09

PLANT REPRODUCTION

Q.1: Define cloning. Which process of plant is supposed to be a cloning?

Ans. Cloning is a method of producing genetically identical individual from the single
parental cell.
(i)In plants term "cloning" refers to the tissue culturing in which a single plant cell or
piece of tissue is grown on artificial nutrient medium under aseptic conditions
(microbe free environment) to develop a genetically identical copy (clone) of the
parent plant.
(ii) This method of artificial vegetative propagation is also called micropropagation.

Q.2: Enlist any two suitable conditions for germination of seed.

Ans.
1. Water (Moisture)
Most seeds have very little water inside them. They can't start growing until they
soak up water from the environment. This water is used to break down stored food
and help the parts of the baby plant to grow.
2. Oxygen
Just like we need oxygen to breathe, the cells in the baby plant need it too. It helps
them do their job.

Q.3: Explain the structure of embryonic stem.

Ans. Plumule is the part of embryo which grows into new shoot upon seed
germination. Therefore, plumule is called embryonic stem.
Epicotyl
The embryonic stem above the point of attachment of cotyledon(s) is called epicotyl.
Hypocotyl
The embryonic stem below the point of attachment of cotyledons is called
hypocotyl.

Q.4: Explain the role of livestock.

Ans.
(1) They are providers of income and employment for producers and others working.
in, sometimes complex, value chains.
(2) They are a crucial asset and safety net for the poor, especially for women and
pastoralist group and they provide an important source of nourishment for billions
of rural and urban house holds.
(3) Livestock provide hides and skins, meat, eggs and milk for the country and are a
valuable source of trade internationally.
(4) Buffalo, cattle and horses are an important asset in animal draught power, as
they pull carts and wagons carrying supplies all over the country.
(5) Livestock feeds the plants and plant feed the livestock.
Q.5: Explain the event of double fertilization in angiosperms.
Ans. The type of fertilization in flowering plants, in which one sperm nucleus is fused
with egg to form diploid zygote and other sperm nucleus is fused with polar nuclei or
secondary nucleus to make triploid endosperm nucleus. Since one male
gametophyte contributes two sperm nuclei for fertilization. Therefore, this event is
called double fertilization.

Q.6: Explain the struture of embryo sac.

(a) Formation of Egg
Ans. The nucleus of functional megaspore in the center of ovale divides three times
by mitosis to make 8 nuclei. At this stage, three nuclei out of eight migrate at one
end of the ovule, the central one of them becomes egg while two side one are called
synergids. Three other nuclei migrate at another end of the ovule, and act as
antipodals.
(b) Diploid Secondary Nucleus of female Gametophyte
The remaining two daughter nuclei rest in the center of the ovule and are called
polar nuclei which in some cases fuse together to become diploid secondary nucleus
before the entry of sperm. This whole structure which comprises body of
megaspore, three antipodals, two synergids, two polar nuclei or secondary nucleus
and an egg, is referred to as female gametophyte or embryo sac.

Q.7: Justify that sexual reproduction in plants is more beneficial than asexual
reproduction.
Ans.
(1) Organisms produced by sexual reproduction have variation which is adapted to
various environments.
(2) They are less likely to be affected by various diseases.
(3) Though asexual reproduction production is faster and more energy efficient,
sexual reproduction better promotes genetic diversity through new combinations of
alleles during meoisis and fertilization.

Q.8: Define/Describe/Explain briefly:

Apomixis, Pollination, Male gametophyte, Epigeal germination, Fertilization, Binary
fission, Budding, Root tock, Bulb, Rhizome. Sporangiophores,

Ans. Apomixis
Parthenogenesis in plants is also known as apomixis.

Pollination
When microspores are formed, the wall of pollen sacs bursts and the microspores
are liberated. The microspores are transferred from anther of stamen to the stigma
of carpel by means of wind, insects, or other animals. This event is known as
pollination and the microspores during pollination are called pollen grains.

Male Gametophyte
Pollen tube, tube nucleus and the two sperm nuclei, is referred to as male
gametophyte.

Epigeal Germination
In this type, the part called the hypocotyl stretches out and forms a hook, pulling the
seed leaves (cotyledons) above the ground. Beans, cotton, and papaya are examples
of seeds that do this.

Fertilization
The process that involves the fusion of male gametes (pollen) and female gametes
(egg) to produce diploid zygote.

Binary Fission
Binary fission is a simple way of making more of something. It's like splitting
something into two equal parts.

Budding
In this kind of asexual reproduction, a tiny outgrowth called bud emerges on the
parent's body.

Sporangiophores
In many fungi, like Rhizopus, when they're ready to make new ones, their body cells
create strong, protective bags called sporangia on the tip of a stalk called
sporangiophores.

Rootstock
The rootstock is the lower part, which provides the root system and stem support.

Bulb
Bulbs are compact, thickened, vertically growing, underground stems, enveloped by
thick, succulent (fleshy) leaves, serving as reservoirs of stored nutrients. Species like
tulips and onion utilize bulb to produce their young ones.

Rhizomes
Rhizomes are flat, horizontal underground stems that have small scale-like leaves.
Rhizomes
Examples: Plants like ginger, ferns and water lilies, use rhizomes for reproduction.

Q.9: Write the differences between

(a) Asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction

(i) In asexual reproduction there is no (i) Sexual reproduction takes place by

involvement of gametes and no mixing of meiosis and there is mixing of genetic
heredity material. material.
(ii) These organisms fail to cope with the
changing environment and if continue (ii) This helps the organisms to cope with
reproducing by this way, ultimately the changing environment.
became extinct.

(b) Artificial vegetative propagation and natural vegetative propagation

Artificial vegetative propagation Natural vegetative propagation
1. It occurs naturally without human [Link] starts by human using various
intervention. techniques.
[Link] includes the processes like runners, [Link], cutting, layering and tissue
tubers and bulb formation. culture are its common methods.
[Link] spread and survival of speices. [Link] improvement, rapid
[Link] propagate without human multiplication.
involvement. [Link] are selected based on desired
[Link] are adapted to local traits for propagation by humans.
environment where they propagate. [Link] may not adapted to local
environment and may require care.

(c) Scion and rootstock

Scion Rootstock

[Link] scion is the upper part of the plant, [Link] rootstock is the lower part, which
which includes the desired provides support to the root system and
characteristics such as specific fruit or stem.
flower traits. [Link] is also involved in grafting and is a
[Link] is involved in grafting and carefully rotted stem into which a scion or bud is
attached or inserted into the rootstock. grafted. Providing anchorage and
nutrients.

(d) Grafting and stem cutting

Grafting Stem cutting

[Link] method involves joining two plant [Link] cuttings are small segments or cut
parts to a single, new plant. pieces of stem having at least one node.
[Link] method is commonly used to [Link]: This method is often used to
reproduce desirable plant varieties, like propagate roses, ivy, grapevines, and
fruit trees or ornamental plants chrysanthemums.

(e) Bulb and rhizome

Bulb Rhizome

Bulbs: Bulbs are compact, thickened, Rhizomes are flat, horizontal

vertically growing, underground stems underground stems that have small
enveloped by thick, succulent (flashy) scale-like leaves.
leaves, serving as reservoirs of stored Explanation:
nutrients. (i) Along the rhizome, there are
Adventitious Roots: Beneath the bulb's distinct nodes and internodes.
base, adventitious roots sprout, while (ii) At these nodes, buds are formed.
shoots emerge from its upper region. (iii) The buds on the upper side of the
Each shoot, is capable to be developed rhizome grow into shoots, while the
into a new plant. lower side produces adventitious roots.
(iv) These shoots are capable to develop
into new plants.
Examples: Species like tulips, onions, and Examples: Plants like ginger, ferns, and
lilies utilize bulb to produce their young water lilies use rhizomes for
ones. reproduction.

(f) Binary fission and budding

Binary fission Budding
(i) Binary fission is a simple way of (i) In this kind of asexual reproduction, a
making more of something. It's like tiny outgrowth called bud emerges on
splitting something into two equal parts. the parent's body.
(ii) This method is commonly used for
making more of certain tiny living things, (ii) Commonly observed in multicellular
like bacteria, some one-celled creatures organisms such as yeast, hydra and
called protozoa, and some small animals certain plants.
without backbones but no true plant is
known to use this process. (iii) The parent organism develops a
(iii) The parent cell duplicates its DNA small outgrowth called a bud which
and divides into two daughter cells each grows and eventually detaches from the
with complete set of genetic material. parent to become an independent
organism.
(iv) Cells typically divide along a specific (iv) Buds may form at various locations
axis or plane. on the parent organism.

(g) Hypogeal and epigeal germination

Hypogeal Epigeal
(i) It's the epicotyl that stretches and i) in this type, the part called the
forms a hook, but the seed leaves hypocotyl stretches out and forms a
(cotyledons) stay underground. hook, pulling the seed leaves
(cotyledons) above the ground.
(ii) Peas, maize, and coconuts are (ii) Beans, cotton, and papaya are
examples of seeds that germinate this examples of seeds
way.

(h) Self and cross pollination

Self pollination Cross pollination
1. Pollen transferred from anther to 1. Pollen transferred from anther of one
stigma of the same flower flower to stigma of another flower
2. Occurs in bisexual flowers 2. Occurs between two different flowers
3. No genetic variation (same or different plants)
3. Increases genetic variation