BIOLOGY -- CLASS X

Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? (Reference material)

1. What are the advantages of vegetative propagation?

 Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from
seeds.
 Such methods also make possible the propagation in plants such as banana, orange, rose,
jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seed.
 All plants produced by vegetative propagation are genetically similar enough to the parent plant
to have all the characteristics eg. as seen in grafting and layering.
 Vegetative propagation is also used for agricultural purposes in the commercial production of some
plants eg, grapes, sugarcane, rose.

2. What are the advantages of spore formation?

There are many advantages, if an organism reproduces through spores.

(i) Large numbers of spores are produced in one sporangium.
(ii) Spores are distributed easily by air to far-off places to avoid competition at one place.
(iii) Spores are covered by thick walls to prevent dehydration under unfavorable conditions.

3. Can you think of reasons why more complex organisms cannot give rise to new individuals
through regeneration?

Simple organisms such as Hydra and Planaria can produce new individuals through the process of
regeneration. The process of regeneration involves the formation of new organisms from its body
parts. Simple organisms can utilize this method of reproduction as their entire body is made of similar
kind of cells in which any part of their body can be formed by growth and development.
However, complex organisms have organ-system level of organization. All the organ systems of
their body work together as an interconnected unit. They can regenerate their lost body parts such as
skin, muscles, blood, etc. However, they cannot give rise to new individuals through regeneration.

4. Why is DNA copying an essential part of the process of reproduction?

OR
What is the importance of DNA copying in reproduction?
 DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) copying is an essential part of reproduction as it passes genetic
information from parents to offspring.
 The DNA is the information site for making proteins and each specific type of protein leads to a
specific type of body design.
 The copying of DNA always takes place along with the creation of additional cellular
structure. This process is then followed by division of a cell to form two cells.

5. Why is variation beneficial to the species but not necessarily for the individual?

Variations are beneficial to the species than individual because sometimes for a species, the
environmental conditions change so drastically that their survival becomes difficult. For example, if
the temperature of water increases suddenly, then most of the bacteria living in that water would die.
Only few variants that are resistant to heat would be able to survive. However, if these variants were
not there, then the entire species of bacteria would have been destroyed. Thus, these variants help in
the survival of the species. However, all variations are not necessarily beneficial for the individual
organisms.
 FAHAHEEL AL-WATANIEH INDIAN PRIVATE SCHOOL
BIOLOGY -- CLASS X

Chapter 8: How do Organisms Reproduce?

1. How are the modes of 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.

2. How does reproduction help in providing stability to populations of species?

a. Rate of birth must be on par with the rate of death to provide stability to population of species.
This is only possible through reproduction.
b. Reproduction involves DNA copying which is the source of information for making proteins
there by controlling the body design.
c. Variations may help the survival of species overtime.

3. Mention the important post fertilization changes in flowers.

• Zygote divides several times and develop into an embryo within the ovule.
• The ovules develop a tough coat and is converted into a seed. The seed protects the embryo and
stores food for its germination.
• The ovary grows rapidly and ripens to form a fruit which protects the seed.
• Petals, sepals, stigma, style and stamens dry and fall off.
• Under appropriate conditions, the seed which contains the embryo develops into a seedling. This
process is called germination.

4. How is the process of pollination different from fertilization?

Pollination Fertilization
Pollination is the process of transfer of Fertilization is the process of fusion of the
pollens from anther to stigma. male and female gametes.
It occurs with the help of certain pollinating Agents are absent.
agents such as air, water, birds or some
insects.
insects.
It occurs only in plants. Occurs in plants and animals.

5. Differentiate between.
a) Unisexual flower and Bisexual flower.

Unisexual flower Bisexual flower

Flower contains either stamen or carpel. Flower contains both stamen and carpel.
Eg. Papaya, water melon. Eg. Hibiscus, mustard
 b) Self-pollination and Cross pollination.

Self-pollination Cross pollination

Transfer of pollen that occurs within the same Pollen is transferred from one flower to
flower. another flower within the same plant.

6. What are the functions performed by testis in human beings?

Functions of testes:
i) Produce sperms
ii) Produce a hormone called testosterone. Testosterone brings about secondary sexual characters in boys
during puberty.

7. Why does menstruation occur?

On reaching puberty each ovary alternatively releases one egg every month. The uterus also prepares
itself by making its lining thick and spongy to receive the fertilized ovum. If the ovum is not fertilized,
then the lining of blood vessels in the uterus slowly breaks and goes out of the body through vagina as
blood and mucus. This cycle takes place roughly once in every month and is known as menstruation. The
onset of first menstruation is known as menarche. A woman will have her last menstruation by the age of
45 - 50 and it is known as menopause.

8. What are the different methods of contraception?

The contraceptive methods can be broadly divided into the following types:
Barrier method → In this method, the fertilization of ovum and sperm is prevented with the help of
barriers. Barriers are available for both males and females. Condoms are barriers made of thin rubber that
are used to cover penis in males and vagina in females.

Oral contraceptives →In this method, tablets or drugs are taken orally. These contraceptives acts by
changing the hormonal balance of the body, so that eggs are not released and fertilization cannot occur.

IUCD (Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices) → Contraceptive devices such as the loop or Copper-T are
placed in uterus to prevent pregnancy.

Surgical methods → Some surgical methods can also be used to block the gamete transfer. It includes the
blocking of vas deferens to prevent the transfer of sperms known as vasectomy. Similarly, fallopian tubes of
the female can be blocked surgically so that the egg will not reach the uterus known as tubectomy.