CHAPTER 8
HOW DO ORGANISMS REPRODUCE?
INTEXT BLUE QUESTIONS
Q1-What is the importance of DNA copying in reproduction?
Ans-DNA copying has following importance in reproduction:
● It maintains the basic characteristics of species.
● Errors in DNA copying produces variations and variations are necessary for
survival of species.
[Link] is variation beneficial to the species but not necessary for the individual?
Ans. Accumulation of variations after several generations results in new set of traits required for
survival. As they show results after many generations so they are not important for individual.
But they are beneficial to the species because sometimes for a species the environmental
conditions change so drastically that their survival becomes [Link] that period ,only few
variants that are resistant would be able to [Link],variants help in survival of species.
Q3. How does binary fission differ from multiple fission
Binary fission Multiple fission
Two daughter cells are formed. Many daughter cells are formed.
No part of the parent body is left unused A part of parent body is left unused
It occurs under favourable conditions It occurs both under favourable and
unfavourable conditions.
Q4-How will an organism be benefited if it reproduces through spores?
Following are the ways through which an organism will be benefited if it reproduces through
spores:
● Number of spores produced in one sporangium would be large.
● In order to avoid competition at one place, spores can be distributed to faraway places
with the help of air.
● In order to prevent dehydration under unfavorable conditions, the spores are covered by
thick walls.
Q5. Can you think of reasons why more complex organisms cannot give rise to new individuals
through regeneration?
Complex Organisms cannot give rise to new individuals through regeneration because they have
complex organs and organ systems .All these organ systems are interconnected and work in full
coordination. They can regenerate a few of their lost body parts like skin, blood, muscles, etc. but
can’t give rise to new individuals.
Q6. Why is vegetative propagation practised for growing some types of plants?
Solution:
Following are the advantages of practising vegetative propagation for growing some types of
plants:
● Plants like orange, banana, rose and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds
can be raised by vegetative propagation only.
● It is a rapid, cheap and easier method to grow crops.
● It can be used in places where seed germination fails.
● A good quality of variety can be preserved.
Q7. Why is DNA copying an essential part of the process of reproduction?
● It maintains the basic characteristics of species.
● Errors in DNA copying produces variations and variations are necessary for
survival of species.
Q8. How is the process of pollination different from fertilization?
pollination fertilisation
It is the transfer of pollen grains from anther It is the process of fusion of male and female
to the stigma of a flower gamete to form zygote.
It occurs in higher plants. It occurs in all sexually reproducing
organisms.
It may require pollinatinig agents like It donot require pollinating agents.
wind,water,insects etc.
[Link] is the role of the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland ?
Both seminal vesicle and prostate gland secretes fluid which
(i) makes the path smooth through which the sperms travel.
(ii) protects the sperms from the acids present in the urethra.
(iii)provides nutrition to sperms .
[Link] are the changes seen in girls at the time of puberty ?
The various changes occur in girls at puberty are :
1. Hair grow under armpits and genital area.
2. breast size begins to increase, with darkening of the skin of the nipples.
3. The hips broaden.
4. Menstruation starts.
5. Appearance of pimples, as there is more oil secretion from the skin.
Q11. How does the embryo get nourishment from its mother's body?
Ans. The embryo gets nourishment from its mother's blood through [Link] is
a special tissue which is embedded in the uterine wall .It has villi on the embryo side and
blood space on the mother’s side These villi provides a large surface area for glucose
and oxygen to pass from mother to the embryo.
[Link] a woman is using a Copper-T, will it help in protecting her from sexually transmitted
diseases?
No, the usage of copper-T cannot stop the contact of body fluids. Hence, it cannot protect her
from getting sexually transmitted diseases.
BACK QUESTIONS
[Link] reproduction takes place through budding in
(a) Amoeba
(b) Yeast
(c) Plasmodium
(d) Leishmania
(b) Yeast
2. Which of the following is not a part of the female reproductive system in human beings?
(a) Ovary
(b) Uterus
(c) Vas deferens
(d) Fallopian tube
(c) Vas deferens
[Link] anther contains
(a) Sepals
(b) Ovules
(c) Pistil
(d) Pollen grains
(d) Pollen grains.
4. What are the advantages of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction?
Following are the advantages of sexual reproduction:
● The offspring has the characters of both the parents.
● The survival of the species is ensured as there are more variations.
● The offspring can easily adapt to environmental changes.
● It produces genetic variations ,which produces diversity of characters which is not
possible in asexual reproduction.
5. What are the functions performed by the testis in human being?
● They produce male gametes called sperms.
● They also produce hormone called testosterone(male sex hormone), which regulate
formation of sperms and develop secondary sexual characters in boys.
[Link] does menstruation occur?
Menstruation occurs in the human females only when the egg is not fertised.
Every month uterus prepares itself to receive the fertilised egg by developing thick and spongy
[Link] if fertilisation donot occur,then the egg along with uterus lining breaks down and
comes out of vagina in the form of blood and [Link] is called menstruation.
7. Draw a labelled diagram of the longitudinal section of a flower.
[Link] are the different methods of contraception ?
The different methods of contraception are as follow :
(i) Barrier method :it involves creation of mechanical barriers so that sperms donot reach the
egg.
Eg-condoms
(ii) Chemical method : In this method a woman uses oral pills that change the hormonal balance
of the body so that eggs are not released and fertilisation donot occur.
(iii) Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD): Intrauterine contraceptive devices such as
copper-T , loop are placed in the uterus by a skilled doctor to prevent pregnancy.
(iv) Surgical method : In this method, a small part of vas deferens of male and fallopian tube of
female is cut and tied by surgery. It is called vasectomy in males and tubectomy in females.
9. How are the modes for reproduction different in unicellular and multicellular organisms?
In unicellular organisms, reproduction occurs by the division of the entire cell. The modes of
reproduction in unicellular organisms can be fission, budding, etc. whereas, in multicellular
organisms, specialised reproductive organs are present. Therefore, they can reproduce by
complex reproductive methods such as vegetative propagation, spore formation, etc. In more
complex multicellular organisms such as human beings and plants, the mode of reproduction is
sexual reproduction where both parents are involved.
[Link] does reproduction help in providing stability to populations of species ?
Reproduction helps in providing stability to population of species as-
[Link] replaces lost or aging population with the new population and thus maintain balance
between birth rate and death rate
[Link] induces variations in a population which help the population adapt to changing environment.
[Link] could be the reasons for adopting contraceptive methods ?
The reasons for adopting contraceptive devices are as follow:
1. To control the birth rate and prevent overpopulation.
2. To reduce the adverse effects on mother’s body due to frequent pregnancy.
3. To prevent spread of sexually transmitted diseases.