Chapter 9: Reproduction

A. Choose the most appropriate answer:

1. Which of these are the male reproductive organs in humans?

• c. Testes
Explanation: The testes are the male reproductive organs responsible for producing
sperm and secreting hormones, including testosterone.

2. Which of the following is a hermaphrodite animal?

• d. Earthworm
Explanation: Earthworms are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and
female reproductive organs, allowing them to produce both sperm and eggs.

3. In the offspring grows out of the parent’s body.

• a. Hydra
Explanation: Hydra reproduces by budding, where a new organism develops as an
outgrowth from the parent’s body.

4. In humans, fertilization occurs in

• a. Oviduct
Explanation: Fertilization in humans occurs in the oviduct (also called the fallopian
tube), where the sperm meets the egg.

5. In a mosquito, the eggs hatch to produce

• b. Larva
Explanation: When mosquito eggs hatch, they produce larvae, which later develop
into pupae and then adult mosquitoes.

6. Which of the following reproduces by splitting into two?

• c. Amoeba
Explanation: Amoeba reproduces through binary fission, where the organism splits
into two identical offspring.

B. VERY SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. Improper working of the reproductive organs can lead to death. True or false?
 • False
Explanation: While reproductive issues can affect health and reproduction,
improper working of the reproductive organs doesn't directly lead to death unless it
involves complications like infections or systemic disorders.

2. What is the process of fusion of sperm and ovum called?

• Fertilization
Explanation: Fertilization is the process where a sperm cell from the male fuses
with an egg cell (ovum) from the female to form a zygote.

3. The fusion product of sperm and ovum is known as ____

• Zygote
Explanation: A zygote is the cell formed when the sperm and egg combine,
containing the genetic material from both parents.

4. Organisms in which male and female gametes are present in the same organism are called
_____

• Hermaphrodite
Explanation: Hermaphrodites have both male and female reproductive organs,
enabling them to produce both sperm and eggs.

5. An earthworm, being a hermaphrodite, can reproduce on its own without the need of a partner.
True or false?

• False
Explanation: Although earthworms are hermaphrodites, they still require another
earthworm for mating, as both must exchange sperm to fertilize the eggs.

6. In frogs, is the fertilization external or internal?

• External
Explanation: Frogs undergo external fertilization, where the male releases sperm
over the eggs as the female lays them.

7. What is the onset of sexual maturity in animals known as?

• Puberty
Explanation: Puberty is the stage of development where animals (including
humans) become capable of sexual reproduction.

8. In humans, which organ produces the ovum?

 • Ovary
Explanation: The ovaries are responsible for producing eggs (ova) in females.

9. Fertilization in humans takes place in the uterus. True or false?

• False
Explanation: Fertilization occurs in the oviduct, not the uterus, where the sperm
meets the egg.

10. Females of all mammals produce a single ovum at a time. True or false?

• True
Explanation: In most mammals, including humans, females typically release a
single ovum during each menstrual cycle.

11. In mosquito, the life cycle is as follows: egg-> pupa-> larva-> mosquito. True or false?

• False
Explanation: The correct order is egg -> larva -> pupa -> mosquito. The larva
comes before the pupa in the mosquito life cycle.

12. The process of cells changing their size, shape, and form to form specialized cells is called
___

• Differentiation
Explanation: Differentiation is the process where cells specialize to perform
specific functions, such as muscle cells or nerve cells.

13. Is binary fission sexual or asexual?

• Asexual
Explanation: Binary fission is asexual reproduction, where a single organism splits
into two identical offspring.

14. The transformation of the larva into an adult through drastic changes is called _____

• Metamorphosis
Explanation: Metamorphosis is the process in which larvae undergo significant
physical changes to become adults, such as the transformation of a caterpillar into
a butterfly.
C. SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS (TYPE I):

1. Why is reproduction important?

• Reproduction is essential for the continuation of a species. It enables organisms to

pass on their genetic material to the next generation, ensuring survival.

2. How is sexual reproduction different from asexual reproduction?

• Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two gametes (sperm and egg) from two
individuals, leading to genetic diversity. Asexual reproduction involves a single
organism producing offspring identical to itself.

3. What is menstruation?

• Menstruation is the periodic shedding of the uterine lining that occurs when a
female’s egg is not fertilized, typically as part of the menstrual cycle.

4. What is cell division?

• Cell division is the process where a single cell divides to form two or more daughter
cells, allowing growth, repair, and reproduction of cells.

5. What is metamorphosis?

• Metamorphosis is the dramatic transformation an organism undergoes during its life

cycle, such as the change from a caterpillar to a butterfly.

6. List the various stages in the life cycle of a mosquito.

• The life cycle of a mosquito includes the stages: Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult
mosquito.

D. SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS (TYPE II):

1. Differentiate between external and internal fertilization, giving two examples of each.

• External Fertilization: This occurs outside the female’s body, where the male
releases sperm over the female’s eggs.
o Examples: Fish (such as salmon) and Frogs.
• Internal Fertilization: This occurs inside the female’s body, where sperm fertilizes
the egg within the reproductive tract.
o Examples: Humans and Birds.
2. How does fertilization occur in frogs?

• In frogs, fertilization is external. The female lays eggs in water, and the male
releases sperm over the eggs to fertilize them. This usually happens during the
mating season, where both individuals are in close proximity.

3. How and where does fertilization take place in human beings?

• In humans, fertilization takes place internally in the oviduct (fallopian tube).

During sexual intercourse, sperm is deposited in the vagina, travels through the
cervix into the uterus, and then meets the egg in the fallopian tube for fertilization.

4. What happens in the female body if the ovum is not fertilized by a sperm?

• If the ovum is not fertilized, it disintegrates and is absorbed by the female body. The
endometrium (lining of the uterus) breaks down, and this leads to menstruation,
where the unfertilized egg and the uterine lining are shed through the vagina.

5. How does Hydra reproduce?

• Hydra reproduces asexually through budding. A small bud forms on the body of the
parent, grows, and eventually detaches to become a new organism. This process
allows the organism to produce offspring without the need for fertilization.

6. Explain the difference between viviparous and oviparous animals.

• Viviparous Animals: These animals give birth to live young, and fertilization occurs
internally. The embryo develops inside the mother’s body.
o Example: Humans, Dogs.
• Oviparous Animals: These animals lay eggs, and the fertilized egg develops outside
the mother's body. The embryo grows within the egg until it hatches.
o Example: Birds, Reptiles.

7. Explain what happens after a hen lays a fertilized egg.

• After a hen lays a fertilized egg, it begins to incubate, either through the warmth of
the mother’s body (if she is sitting on the eggs) or through an artificial incubator.
During incubation, the embryo inside the egg develops into a chick. After around 21
days, the chick hatches from the egg.

E. LONG-ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. Give details of two different ways in which a zygote develops in case of animals where
fertilization is internal.
 • Viviparous Development (e.g., Humans, Dogs):
In viviparous animals, fertilization occurs internally, and the zygote develops inside the
female's body. The fertilized egg divides and forms a ball of cells called a blastocyst.
This attaches to the endometrium (lining of the uterus) and develops into an embryo.
The embryo receives nourishment through the placenta, and after a gestation period, the
fully developed offspring is born alive.
• Oviparous Development (e.g., Birds, Reptiles):
In oviparous animals, after internal fertilization, the fertilized zygote develops into an
embryo within the egg. The egg is laid by the female, and the embryo continues to
develop inside the egg. The egg provides all the nutrients the developing embryo needs.
The embryo eventually hatches after a specific incubation period.

2. What is puberty? What is it caused by? What changes occur in boys and girls during
puberty?

• Puberty is the period of physical development in humans when a child becomes

capable of sexual reproduction. It is caused by hormonal changes, primarily the
increased production of sex hormones such as estrogen in girls and testosterone
in boys. These hormones trigger changes in the body.
o In Boys:
▪ Growth of facial and body hair
▪ Deepening of the voice
▪ Increase in muscle mass and strength
▪ Growth of the testes and penis
▪ Development of sexual desire
o In Girls:
▪ Development of breasts
▪ Widening of hips
▪ Onset of menstruation (menarche)
▪ Growth of pubic and underarm hair
▪ Increased body fat and curves

3. Discuss how a zygote develops into an individual in humans.

• In humans, fertilization occurs when the sperm fertilizes the egg in the oviduct
(fallopian tube). The resulting fertilized egg, or zygote, divides through mitosis to
form a blastocyst. This blastocyst travels to the uterus and embeds itself in the
endometrium (lining of the uterus) in a process called implantation.
The zygote continues to divide and differentiate, forming different tissues and
organs, becoming an embryo. As the embryo grows, it becomes a fetus. Over
approximately nine months, the fetus develops fully, and after birth, the individual
continues to grow and mature.

4. Explain the life cycle of a frog, with the help of a labelled diagram.
 • The life cycle of a frog involves several stages:
1. Egg Stage: Female frogs lay eggs in water, and the fertilization is external. The
eggs develop into tadpoles.
2. Tadpole Stage: The fertilized eggs hatch into tadpoles, which have gills and a
tail, resembling fish.
3. Tadpole with Limbs: The tadpoles undergo metamorphosis. They develop
hind limbs, and the tail starts to shrink.
4. Young Frog (Froglet): The tadpole becomes a young frog, also known as a
froglet, which can now breathe through lungs and has legs for swimming and
hopping.
5. Adult Frog: After further development, the young frog grows into an adult frog
capable of reproduction.

HOTS QUESTIONS: Think and Answer

1. Can the process of a child changing into an adult be called metamorphosis?

• No, the process of a child changing into an adult is not called metamorphosis.
Metamorphosis refers to a distinct change in form during an organism's life cycle,
typically seen in animals like insects and amphibians (e.g., tadpoles to frogs). In
humans, the change from a child to an adult is called growth and development
rather than metamorphosis.

2. Frogs and fishes lay hundreds of eggs at a time. However, their population is very little
as compared to the number of eggs they lay. Why?

• The reason frogs and fishes lay so many eggs is because only a small fraction of
these eggs survive to adulthood. The large number of eggs increases the chances of
survival due to the high mortality rate from predation, environmental factors, and
other hazards during the early stages of life.

3. Why do you think it is necessary for frogs and fishes to lay so many eggs?

• It is necessary for frogs and fishes to lay so many eggs because the survival rate of
their offspring is low due to predation and other environmental factors. By producing
large numbers of eggs, they ensure that at least a few will survive to adulthood and
reproduce, ensuring the survival of their species.

4. What do you think would have happened if humans also gave birth to a large number of
babies at the same time?

• If humans gave birth to a large number of babies at the same time, it would strain
the resources and care available for the survival of the offspring. Human babies
require a significant amount of parental care and attention, and a high birth rate
 would make it difficult to provide the necessary nurturing for their growth and
development.

5. Can a woman with a blocked fallopian tube give birth to a child? Why?

• A woman with a blocked fallopian tube may find it difficult to conceive naturally, as
the blocked tube prevents the egg from meeting the sperm for fertilization. However,
assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) can help, where
the egg is fertilized outside the body and then implanted in the uterus.

6. Under what circumstances can twins be born in humans?

• Twins can be born in humans under two circumstances:

1. Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins: Occurs when two separate eggs are fertilized by
two different sperm cells.
2. Identical (Monozygotic) Twins: Occurs when a single fertilized egg splits
into two embryos during early development, resulting in two genetically
identical individuals.

7. Why is it that dogs always produce several puppies whereas human beings usually
produce only one child at a time?

• Dogs produce several puppies because their reproductive strategy involves

producing many offspring to increase the chances of survival. In contrast, humans
typically give birth to one child at a time because humans invest significant time and
resources in the care and development of a single child, ensuring their survival and
proper growth.