JRS NFE Combined Science Exam Class Notes (February 2020)
Topic: Reproductive System
Reproduction can be defined as the process of producing a new generation from an existing
generation. This process happens in two was either asexually or sexually.
Asexual reproduction – is the production of offspring without fertilization of an egg and sperm.
Sexual reproduction - involves a sperm fusing with an egg to form a zygote (fertilized egg cell).
Contraception - is a method used by humans to prevent a sperm from fertilizing an egg.
Asexual Reproduction in Plants
Vegetative reproduction is a form of asexual reproduction in plants. New plants grow from a
part of the parent plant, such as its root, stem or leaves. No pollination and no fertilization
happens and there is only one parent. Some plants, naturally reproduce by asexual or
vegetative reproduction. This may occur for example when roots may grow from the stem of
the plant, although any horizontal underground part of a plant can contribute to vegetative
reproduction of the plant. In some cases, the structures involved in vegetative reproduction are
storage organs. For example, potatoes have buds (or eyes) that can grow into new potato
plants.
Rhizomes
Rhizomes – A horizontal, underground stem of some plants that sends out roots and shoots
from its nodes.
In some plants the stem grows horizontally below the ground. The stem becomes swollen with
stored food. Roots and leaves grow from the growth buds on the underground stems. Ginger
irises and canna lilies have rhizomes.
Cuttings
Cuttings – A leaf, stem, branch, or root removed from a plant and cultivated to grow a new
plant
New plants can be grown by placing the cut end of a shoot into water or into moist soil. Roots
start to grow from the base of the shoot and leaves develop. Many garden plants, such as
sweet potatoes, sugar cane, cassava and roses are propagated from cuttings.
Tubers
Tuber – A fleshy, thickened underground stem of a plant, usually containing stored starch
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Tubers are food storage organs found in some plants. Tubers can either occur in the stem or in
the root.
Stem tubers
Stem tubers are generally short, swollen underground stems formed from thickened rhizomes.
They have tiny scale leaves and lateral buds. These buds can develop into new plants. Typical
stem tubers are found in a potatoes and yams. In potatoes, the stem tubers can also be divided
in pieces that each has a bud, or eye, and these will grow to produce roots and shoots. Small
tubers known as seed tubers can also be used.
Root tubers
A root tuber is a lateral root that has been modified to function as a storage organ. The distal or
middle part of the root tuber that stores nutrients is enlarged. It can also involve the whole
root. During the growing season the food reserves are used to produce new tubers. Sweet
potatoes and cassava are typical examples of plants with root tubers.
Advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction
Some types of vegetative reproduction occur naturally, while farmers and horticulturalists often
use artificial ways of vegetative reproduction. The advantages and disadvantages of natural and
artificial vegetative reproduction are summarized below:
Advantages of vegetative reproduction
Making new plants from old ones is much cheaper than buying new plants.
The new plants are genetically stable. As they are identical to the parent plant, any
desirable feature in the parent plant will be present in the new plants.
Organs of asexual reproduction such as rhizomes and tubers allow plants to survive
drought and fires.
Disadvantage of vegetative reproduction
In natural vegetative reproduction, overcrowding can occur as new plants from close to
the parent plant. This can result in competition for food and water.
There is no genetic variation among the offspring. This means that the new plants will
gradually lose their vigour.
Because plants produced by asexual reproduction are identical to their parent plants
they may be more susceptible to disease and pests.
Differences between asexual and sexual reproduction
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As explained before asexual reproduction is a strategy of reproduction where only one parent is
involved and where there is no production of gametes. It usually results in the production of
identical offspring.
Sexual reproduction involves the production of male and female sex cells or gametes. These
gametes then fuse to form a single cell called a zygote when fertilization takes place. The zygote
then divides many times to produce a new individual that is different from its parent.
Sexual Asexual
Two parents One parent
Variation occurs in offspring Offspring are genetically identical to each
other and their parent
Fertilization takes place No fertilization takes place
Gametes are involved No gametes are involved
Mixing of hereditary material No mixing of hereditary material
Sources
K. Chavunduka, (Step Ahead Combined Science new curriculum form 4)