Chapter 7 – Reproduction Extra Questions and Answers

Preparing this chapter for your exam but feeling confused? The topic Reproduction is very important for your WBBSE Class 10 exam. This page gives you important questions and answers in simple and clear English. These questions are selected from important topics and common exam patterns. This will help you understand better, revise faster, and score good marks in your exam.

Content Structure

  • 1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)
  • 2. Very short-type questions and answers
    • 2A. Fill in the blanks
    • 2B. True or false
    • 2C. Match the column
    • 2D. Single word questions and answers
  • 3. Short-type questions and answers
  • 4. Long-type questions and answers

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)

1. Leaf buds are reasonable for the formation of new individuals in –
(a) Mango
(b) Jackfruit
(c) Spirogyra
(d) Bryophyllum

Ans: (d) Bryophyllum

2. Conjugation is the method of reproduction in-
(a) Spirogyre
(b) Fern
(c) Moss
(d) Agaricus

Ans: (a) Spirogyre

3. When roots buds develop into new plants, then the method is called-
(a) Asexual
(b) Vegetation
(cc) Sexual
(d) Prthenogenesis

Ans: (b) Vegetation

4. After fertilizer the diploid cell is called-
(a) Embryo
(b) Zygote
(c) Reproductive cell
(d) Spore

Ans: (b) Zygote

5. The animal which reproduces by fragmentation is-
(a) Earthworm
(b) Hydra
(c) Amoeba
(d) Toad

Ans: (c) Amoeba

6. Budding is commonly found in the animal –
(a) Amoeba
(b) Man
(c) Toad
(d) Hydra

Ans: (d) Hydra

7. An animal exhibiting internal fertilization is –
(a) Hydra
(b) Earthworm
(c) Pigeon
(d) Man

Ans: (c) Pigeon

8. Sexual characters found in larval stage is called-
(a) Pedogenesis
(b) Embryo
(c) Oogenesis
(d) Parthenogenesis

Ans: (a) Pedogenesis

9. Chromosome number of a reproductive cell is-
(a) Same number
(b) Double number
(c) Triple number
(d) Half number

Ans: (d) Half number

10. Parthenogenesis is found in the animal –
(a) Man
(b) Honey-bees
(c) Earthworm
(d) Cockroach

Ans: (b) Honey-bees

11. Sexual dimorphism is found in-
(a) Toad
(b) Earthworm
(c) Tiger
(d) Cockroach

Ans: (c) Tiger

12. The fertilized egg is knownn as-
(a) Zygote
(b) Spern
(c) Spore
(d) Zygospore

Ans: (a) Zygote

13. The sporophytic phase of the alternation of generation in fern is-
(a) Haploid (n)
(b) Triploid (3n)
(c) Diploid (2n)
(d) Quadruploid (4n)

Ans: (c) Diploid (2n)

14. The buds, present on margins of leaves of Bryophyllum, are called-
(a) Leaf buds
(b) Epiphytic buds
(c) Terminal buds
(d) Lateral buds

Ans: (a) Leaf buds

15. Artificial vegetative propagation involving stock and scion is known as-
(a) Cutting
(b) Grafting
(c) Layering
(d) Gootee

Ans: (b) Grafting

16. A hermaphrodite animal that can perform self-fertilisation is-
(a) Toad
(b) Ascaris
(c) Liver fluke
(d) Salamander

Ans: (c) Liver fluke

17. Yeasts reproduce by-
(a) Fragmentation
(b) Sporulation
(c) Regeneration
(d) Budding

Ans: (d) Budding

18. Fragmentation is seen in-
(a) Hydra
(b) Yeast
(c) Plasmodium
(d) Spirogyra

Ans: (d) Spirogyra

19. Which of the following organisms performs reproduction by regeneration?
(a) Hydra
(b) Planaria
(c) Spirogyra
(d) Amoeba

Ans: (b) Planaria

20. An example of juicy root is-
(a) Water hyacinth
(b) Sweet potato
(c) Potato
(d) Bryophyllum

Ans: (b) Sweet potato

21. Grafting is a technique of-
(a) Sexual reproduction
(b) Asexual reproduction
(c) Vegetative propagation
(d) Parthenogenesis

Ans: (c) Vegetative propagation

22. Reproduction in plants by cutting method is a type of-
(a) Artificial vegetative propagation
(b) Asexual reproduction
(c) Natural vegetative propagative
(d) Sexual reproduction

Ans: (a) Artificial vegetative propagation

23. External fertilisation takes place in which of the following animals?
(a) Human
(b) Fish
(c) Deer
(d) Horse

Ans: (b) Fish

24. Formation of offspring from unfertilised egg is known as-
(a) Paedogenesis
(b) Parthenocarpy
(c) Parthenogenesis
(d) Oogenesis

Ans: (c) Parthenogenesis

25. The animal in which unfertilised eggs develop into offsprings is-
(a) Toad
(b) Honey bee
(c) Pigeon
(d) Fish

Ans: (b) Honey bee

26. Sexual phase of alternation of generation is called-
(a) Gametophytic phase
(b) Sporophytic phase
(c) Gamete
(d) Parthenogenesis

Ans: (a) Gametophytic phase

27. The reproductive stage, produced conjugation of similar gametes, is called-
(a) Zygote
(b) Azygospore
(c) Zygospore
(d) Oospore

Ans: (c) Zygospore

28. Fem performs reproduction by-
(a) Budding
(b) Fragmentation
(c) Spore formation
(d) Regeneration

Ans: (c) Spore formation

29. Fertilised ovum is known as-
(a) Spermatozoon
(b) Zygospore
(c) Zygote
(d) Spore

Ans: (c) Zygote

30. The process of sperm formation is known as-
(a) Spermatogenesis
(b) Oogenesis
(c) Parthenogenesis
(d) Gametogenesis

Ans: (a) Spermatogenesis

31. The process of reproduction, in which offsprings are formed by division of body cells without union of gametes, is called-
(a) Sexual reproduction
(b) Vegetative propagation
(c) Asexual reproduction
(d) Parthenogenesis

Ans: (c) Asexual reproduction

32. The artificial reproduction in which culture 53 medium is required, is called-
(a) Cutting
(b) Grafting
(c) Micropropagation
(d) All of these

Ans: (c) Micropropagation

33. The event of growth of any organism within the uterus is known as-
(a) Alternation of generation
(b) Vivipary
(c) External fertilisation
(d) Internal fertilisation

Ans: (b) Vivipary

34. In grafting, the cut branch of the superior plant is called ‘scion’. The inferior rooted portion, on which it is fixed, is called-
(a) Bark
(b) Stem
(c) Stock
(d) Bulb

Ans: (c) Stock

35. Union of two male and female gametes of unequal size and shape, is called-
(a) Isogamy
(b) Anisogamy
(c) Heterogamy
(d) Syngamy

Ans: (b) Anisogamy

36. A plant that shows viviparous germination is-
(a) Garan
(b) Mango
(c) Papaya
(d) Pumpkin

Ans: (a) Garan

37. Chromosome number of a zygote is-
(a) 2n
(b) n
(c) 3n
(d) 4n

Ans: (a) 2n

38. Chromosome number of ovum is-
(a) Diploid
(b) Pentaploid
(c) Triploid
(d) Haploid

Ans: (d) Haploid

39. Capability of any tissue cell to form an entire plant body is called-
(a) Alternation of generation
(b) Parthenogenesis
(c) Totipotency
(d) Transformation

Ans: (c) Totipotency

40. Which of the following pair is correct? [Madhyamik 17]
(a) Budding-Yeast
(b) Fragmentation-Earthworm
(c) Spore formation-Amoeba
(d) Regeneration-Dryopoteris

Ans: (a) Budding-Yeast

2. Very short-type questions and answers

2A. Fill in the blanks

1. The ability of living organisms to produce more organisms exactly like themselves is referred to as _________________. (reproduction)
2. Unit of asexual reproduction is _____________-. (spore)
3. Megaspore mother cell divides by _________. (meiosis)
4. Vegetative reproduction occurs in _____________. (vegetative parts)
5. Budding is a type of ___________ reproduction. (asexual)
6. Zygote is the product of the union of ________ and _________ gametes.(male, female)
7. Non-motile spore is called ____________.(aplanospore)
8. Double fertilization takes place in ____________ plant. (flowering)
9. ___________ reproduces by only asexual method. (Amoeba)
10. Binary fission occurs in _____________. (Amoeba)
11. Multiple fission or sporulation found in ___________.(Plasmodium)
12. The number of a population _______________ by reproduction. (increases)
13. In sexual reproduction, _________________ originate in a population. (variations)
14. Union of male and female gametes is known as _________________. (fertilization)
15. Daughter cells of plasmodium produced by schizogony are called _____________. (merozoites)
16. Numerous _____________ are produced from the sporogenous tissue of moss. (spores)
17. _____________ is a type of tissue culture techinque. (Micropropagation)
18. Spore producing plants are known as _______________ plants. (cryptogamic)
19. The _____________ used in the grafting process carries the superior characters of a plant. (scion)

2B. True or false

1. Unit of vegetative propagation is spore. (False)
2. Yeast reproduces by spore production. (False)
3. Micropropagation is none other than a technique of tissue culture. (True)
4. Production of new offspring by a parental generation is called reproduction. (True)
5. Paramoecium reproduces by budding. (False)
6. Plasmodium propagates by multiple fission. (True)
7. Potato reproduces by stem buds. (True)
8. Bryophyllum reproduces by root buds. (False)
9. Water hyacinth performs vegetative propagation by stolon. (False)
10. Birds show distinct alternation of generation. (False)

2C. Match the columns

1. Match the following items in List I with correct items in List II.

Column AColumn B
A. Binary fission1. Hydra
B. Budding2. Amoeba
C. Fragmentation3. Spirogyra
D. Zoospore4. Chlamydomonas

Ans:

Column AColumn B
A. Binary fission2. Amoeba
B. Budding1. Hydra
C. Fragmentation3. Spirogyra
D. Zoospore4. Chlamydomonas

2. Match the following items in List I with correct items in List II.

Column AColumn B
A. Grafting1. Stock and scion
B. Cutting2. Rose
C. Layering3. China rose
D. Micropropagation4. Tissue culture

Ans:

Column AColumn B
A. Grafting2. Rose
B. Cutting1. Stock and scion
C. Layering3. China rose
D. Micropropagation4. Tissue culture

2D. Single word questions and answers

1. What is the unit of sexual reproduction?
Ans:
Gamete

2. Give an example of artificial vegetative reproduction?
Ans:
Cutting

3. Cite two examples of plants which reproduce by asexual method.
Ans:
Potato, Ginger

4. Give an example of a plant which reproduce by budding.
Ans:
Yeast

5. Cite two examples where underground modified stem reproduces by vegetative means.
Ans:
Potato, Ginger

6. Name a plant which reproduces by root.
Ans:
Sweet potato

7. Which type of reproduction is found in Amoeba during favourable conditions?
Ans:
Binary fission

8. Give example of an invertebrate where parthenogenesis is the method of reproduction?
Ans:
Honey-bee

9. In which organ the spores for asexual reproduction of a plant are produced?
Ans:
Sporangium

10. What is produced after the union of sperm and ovum during sexual reproduction?
Ans:
Zygote

11. Name the bisexual but monoecious plant.
Ans:
Cucurbita

12. Name a unisexual flower?
Ans:
Papaya

13. Which is the unit of asexual reproduction of a plant?
Ans:
Spore

14. Name an animal which shows alternation of generation in its life cycle.
Ans:
Obelia

15. Name an animal which can reproduce by parthenogenesis.
Ans:
Honey-bee

16. Name a viviparous animal.
Ans:
Human

17. Name the event of union of male and female gametes in sexual reproduction.
Ans:
Fertilization

18. In which type of reproduction new genetic features may appear in the offspring?
Ans:
Sexual reproduction

18. By which process does Spirogyra perform sexual reproduction?
Ans:
Conjugation

20. Which type of offsprings are product in asexual reproduction?
Ans:
Offsprings produced in asexual reproduction are identical to the parent.

21. How do you refer to the union of two gametes produced in two different animals?
Ans:
Fertilization

22. Name one organism reproduce through congugation?
Ans:
Spirogyra

23. What is torula stage?
Ans:
The budding stage of yeast

24. Name one animal showing vegetation asexual and sexual reproduction?
Ans:
Hydra

25. Microprpagation is based on which property of a cell?
Ans:
Totipotency

26. Which plant vegetatively reproduce through stolon?
Ans:
Strawberry

27. Name a fungi reproduce through conidia.
Ans:
Penicillium

28. Which phase of life cycle starts in an organism with the formation of haploid spores?
Ans:
Gametophyte phase

29. Name an organism which performs asexual reproduction by multiple fission.
Ans
: Plasmodium

30. Which cell division is needed for sexual reproduction?
Ans:
Meiosis

31. Which type of cell division occurs during gametogenesis of sexually reproducig higher organisms?
Ans:
Meiosis

32. Which type of reproduction helps in creating variations among offsprings?
Ans:
Sexual reproduction

33. Name one organism that can reproduce through motile spore.
Ans:
Chlamydomonas

3. Short-type questions and answers

1. What is artificial method of vegetative reproduction?
Ans:
Artificial vegetative reproduction is a man-made method in which humans help plants grow new individuals without using seeds.

2. Short note about isogamy, anisogamy, oogamy.
Ans:
These three terms describe different types of sexual reproduction based on the nature of gametes.

  • Oogamy: The female gamete (egg) is large and non-motile, while the male gamete (sperm) is small and motile.
  • Isogamy: The male and female gametes look exactly the same in size and shape.
  • Anisogamy: The gametes are unequal in size; one is larger and the other is smaller.

3. Write a short note on Parthenogenesis.
Ans:
Parthenogenesis is a type of reproduction in which a new organism develops from an unfertilized egg. Example: Honey-bees produce male bees through parthenogenesis.

4. How to plant reproduce by vegetative means?
Ans:
Plants use their body parts like root, stem, leaf to make new plants.

5. Why is meiosis essential in sexual reproduction?
Ans:
Meiosis is needed in sexual reproduction because it makes gametes (sperm and egg). Asexual reproduction does not need meiosis.

6. What is micropropagation?
Ans:
Micropropagation is a laboratory technique used to grow a large number of new plants from a very small piece of a parent plant.

7. What is alternation of generation? Describe it with example.
Ans:
Alternation of generation is a plant life cycle in which a plant alternates between a haploid gametophyte stage and a diploid sporophyte stage. Example: In fern, the leafy plant is the sporophyte. Spores from it grow into a small gametophyte (prothallus), which forms gametes.

8. What is fragmentation?
Ans:
Fragmentation is when an organism’s body breaks into pieces, and each piece grows into a new organism. Example: Spirogyra.

9. What are non-motile spores?
Ans:
Non-motile spores are spores that cannot move by themselves. They are carried by wind, water, or animals. Example: Fungi and moss spores.

10. What is grafting?
Ans:
Grafting is a method where two plants are joined to grow as one plant. The upper part is the scion, and the lower rooted part is the stock. The new plant gets good qualities from both.

11. What is budding? Give an example.
Ans:
Budding is a method where a small bud grows on the parent body and becomes a new organism. Example: Yeast, Hydra.

12. What is sexual reproduction?
Ans:
Sexual reproduction is a process in which two parents one male and one female take part.
The male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote, and the zygote grows into a new organism.
This method produces offspring that show variations.

13. What is anisogamy?
Ans:
Anisogamy means two gametes that look different in size or shape unite. Example: In many algae & animals.

14. What do you mean by oogamy?
Ans:
Oogamy is a type of sexual reproduction where a large, non-motile egg fuses with a small, motile sperm. This type of reproduction is found in humans, animals, and many higher plants.

15. What is hermaphrodite animal?
Ans:
A hermaphrodite animal has both male and female reproductive organs in the same body. Example: Earthworm.

16. What is a spore?
Ans:
A spore is a tiny, light reproductive cell that can grow into a new plant. It does not need fertilization.
Found in: Ferns, mosses, fungi.

17. What is fertilization?
Ans:
Fertilization is the fusion of the male gamete and the female gamete to form a zygote.

18. What is syngamy?
Ans:
Syngamy is the fusion of male and female gametes during reproduction. It is another term for fertilization.

19. When is an animal said to be oviparous?
Ans:
An animal is said to be oviparous when it lays eggs from which the young ones hatch.
Example: birds and reptiles.

20. Mention two importances of vegetative reproduction.
Ans:

  • Vegetative reproduction helps new plants grow very quickly.
  • It produces plants that are exactly like the parent, keeping all good qualities.

21. What is meant by sexual by asexual reproduction?
Ans:
Sexual reproduction is a process where two parents take part, and their gametes fuse to form a zygote. Offspring show variations.
Asexual reproduction needs only one parent, and no gametes are involved. The offspring are identical to the parent.

22. Mention two characteristics features of sexual reproduction.
Ans:

  1. Sexual reproduction needs two parents—one male and one female.
  2. It produces offspring that show variations, so they are not exactly like their parents.

23. What is syngamy?
Ans:
Syngamy is the fusion of the male and female gametes to form a zygote. It is the main step in sexual reproduction.

24. What is oogamy?
Ans:
Oogamy is a type of sexual reproduction in which the female gamete (egg) is large and non-motile, and the male gamete (sperm) is small and motile. It occurs in humans, animals, and flowering plants.

25. What are the different type of fission found in Amoeba?
Ans:
Amoeba mainly reproduces by binary fission, where the parent cell divides into two daughter cells.
It can also show multiple fission, in which the parent cell divides into many daughter cells at the same time.

26. What is anisogamy?
Ans:
Anisogamy is a type of sexual reproduction where the two gametes that fuse are different in size or shape one is larger, and the other is smaller.

27. What is isogamy?
Ans:
Isogamy is a type of sexual reproduction in which the male and female gametes look the same in size and shape.

28. What is binary fission?
Ans:
Binary fission is an asexual reproduction where one organism divides into two equal daughter organisms. Example: Amoeba.

29. What are zoospores?
Ans:
Zoospores are motile spores that can swim because they have tiny flagella (tails). Example: Chlamydomonas.

30. What are aplanospores?
Ans:
Aplanospores are non-motile spores, meaning they cannot move on their own. They are carried by wind or water.

31. What is stolon?
Ans:
A stolon is a long, slender stem that grows horizontally above the ground. New plants develop from its nodes. Example: Strawberry.

32. What is meant by regeneration?
Ans:
Regeneration is the ability of an organism to grow back lost or cut body parts.
In some simple organisms, even a small piece of the body can grow into a whole new organism.
Example: Planaria.

33. What is gametophyte and sporophyte?
Ans:

  • Gametophyte: The haploid stage that makes gametes (sperm and egg).
  • Sporophyte: The diploid stage that makes spores.

34. What are the process of asexual reproduction in spirogyra and planarial? [Madhyamik 18]
Ans:

  • Spirogyra → Fragmentation: A piece breaks off and grows into a full plant.
  • Planaria → Regeneration: A cut part grows into a full new organism.

35. What is callus?
Ans:
A callus is a soft, shapeless mass of cells formed in tissue culture when a small piece of plant is kept in a nutrient medium. These cells later develop into roots, shoots, and new plantlets.

4. Long-type questions and answers

1. Why do we prefer vegetative over sexual reproduction?
Ans:
Vegetative reproduction is preferred over sexual reproduction because:

  1. Faster plant production: Plants grow quicker than from seeds.
  2. Identical plants: All new plants look and behave the same, useful for uniform crops.
  3. Better quality control: Good characteristics of parent plants are preserved.
  4. Seeds not required: Plants with poor or no seeds can still reproduce.
  5. Suitable for commercial farming: Helps grow fruits and ornamentals in large quantities.

2. Discuss alternation of generation with example?
ans:
Alternation of generation is a plant life cycle where two stages regularly alternate:

  1. Sporophyte (2n):
    • Diploid stage
    • Produces spores by meiosis
  2. Gametophyte (n):
    • Haploid stage
    • Produces gametes (egg and sperm)

Process:

  • Sporophyte → Meiosis → Spores (n)
  • Spores → Grow into gametophyte
  • Gametophyte → Makes gametes
  • Gametes fuse → Zygote (2n)
  • Zygote → Grows into sporophyte again

Example: Fern

  • Fertilization leads to a new sporophyte plant.
  • Large leafy plant = Sporophyte
  • Produces spores under leaves
  • Spores germinate into a small heart-shaped structure (prothallus) = Gametophyte
  • Gametophyte produces gametes

3. What is reproduction? Discuss briefly the importance of reproduction? Mention the types of reproduction.
Ans:
Reproduction is the biological process by which organisms produce new individuals of their own kind.

Importance:

  1. Helps species survive by making new individuals.
  2. Maintains population size.
  3. Passes genetic information to the next generation.
  4. Creates variation (in sexual reproduction) that helps evolution.

Types of reproduction:

  • Sexual reproduction — two parents, variation in offspring.
  • Asexual reproduction — one parent, identical offspring.

4. What is vegetative reproduction? Write in brief of two natural vegetative reproductiions in plants.
Ans:
Vegetative reproduction is a type of asexual reproduction where new plants grow from roots, stems, or leaves instead of seeds.

Two natural methods: They fall on soil and grow into new plants.

By stem tuber (Potato):

  • Potato has eyes.
  • Each eye grows into a new plant.

By leaf (Bryophyllum):

  • Tiny plantlets grow on leaf edges.
  • They fall on soil and grow into new plants.

5. Write in short the vegetative reproduction in Bryophyllum, Adiantum, Dalhia, Zingiber and Oxalis.
Ans:

Plant NameMethod of Vegetative Reproduction
BryophyllumPlantlets grow on leaf margins and fall to form new plants.
AdiantumAdventitious buds form on leaves and grow into new plants.
DahliaTuberous roots store food and give rise to new shoots.
Zingiber (Ginger)Underground stem (rhizome) has nodes that grow into new plants.
OxalisSmall bulbils form and grow into new plants.

6. What are the importances of vegetative reproduction?
Ans:

  • Fast multiplication: New plants form quickly compared to seeds.
  • Identical offspring: Good qualities like taste, color, and size remain the same.
  • Plants without seeds can grow: Pineapple, banana, sugarcane.
  • Useful for agriculture: Ensures large-scale production.
  • Less cost: No need for expensive seeds or special tools.
  • Better survival: New plants grow stronger because they already have stored food.

7. What are crafting and grafting?
Ans:

TermDescriptionParts InvolvedExample
CraftingCrafting is sometimes used in place of grafting. It means making a new plant by joining useful parts of two plants to improve quality.To create plants with better taste, growth, and strength.Mango, rose (same examples as grafting use).
GraftingGrafting is a method where two different plants are joined together to grow as one.Scion: Upper branch part.
Stock: Lower rooted plant.
Scion grows on stock to form one new plant.
Mango, citrus, rose.

8. What are the differences between vegetative and sexual reproduction?
Ans:

Vegetative ReproductionSexual Reproduction
Uses plant parts like root, stem, leafUses gametes (sperm and egg)
One parentTwo parents
Offspring identical to parentOffspring show variation
Fast processSlow process
No seed formationSeeds formed

9. What is alternation of generation?
Ans:
Alternation of generation is a life cycle in which plants switch between two stages:

  1. Sporophyte (Diploid, 2n): Produces spores by meiosis.
  2. Gametophyte (Haploid, n): Produces gametes by mitosis.

Spores grow into gametophytes → gametes fuse → zygote forms → becomes sporophyte again.

Example: Fern shows clear alternation of generations.

10. Describe the five process of asexual reproduction with one suitable example for each. Madhyamik 19]
Ans:
Asexual reproduction is a type of reproduction where only one parent produces offspring without gamete formation.
Five important types are:

Type of Asexual ReproductionDescriptionExample
Binary FissionThe parent cell divides into two equal daughter cells. Common in single-celled organisms.Amoeba
Multiple FissionThe nucleus divides many times, forming many daughter cells at once. They are released when the parent bursts.Plasmodium
BuddingA small bud forms on the parent body. The bud grows and separates to become a new organism.Yeast, Hydra
FragmentationThe organism’s body breaks into pieces, and each piece grows into a new individual.Spirogyra
RegenerationLost body parts regrow, and in simple animals, even a small piece can grow into a whole new organism.Planaria

11. Describe the mechanism of fission in plasmodium.
Ans:
Plasmodium, the malarial parasite, reproduces by multiple fission, a special type of asexual reproduction.

Mechanism:

  1. Nuclear division:
    • The nucleus divides many times inside the parent cell.
    • This produces many nuclei.
  2. Cytoplasmic division:
    • The cytoplasm divides around each nucleus.
    • Many tiny daughter cells form inside one mother cell.
  3. Formation of Merozoites:
    • Each daughter cell is called a merozoite.
    • These merozoites remain enclosed within the parent’s membrane.
  4. Release:
    • The parent cell bursts.
    • All the merozoites are released at once.
  5. Infection cycle:
    • Merozoites attack red blood cells in humans.
    • This repeated cycle causes fever in malaria.

12. Mention the advantage and disadvantages of vegetative propagation.
Ans: Advantages:

  1. Fast reproduction: Quicker than growing from seeds.
  2. Identical plants: Same characters as parent (taste, color, quality).
  3. Useful for seedless plants: Banana, sugarcane, pineapple.
  4. Guaranteed growth: Higher success rate than seeds.
  5. Economical for farmers: Saves time and labor.

Disadvantages:

  • Not suitable for all plants: Works only in certain species.
  • No variation: All offspring are genetically same, so no evolution.
  • Disease risk: Diseases in parent plant pass to all new plants.
  • Less adaptability: Plants may not survive changing environment.
  • Shorter life span: Vegetatively propagated plants may age faster.

13. Distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction on the basis of the following features
(a) Number of parents (b) Nature of offsprings [Madhyamik 19]
Ans:

FeatureAsexual ReproductionSexual Reproduction
Number of parentsOne parentTwo parents (male & female)
Nature of offspringsOffspring are identical to the parent (no variation)Offspring show variation
Gamete formationGametes are not formedMale and female gametes are formed
Process speedFaster processSlower process
Energy requiredRequires less energyRequires more energy
Organisms involvedSeen in simple organisms like Amoeba, HydraSeen in higher plants and animals
ExamplesBinary fission, buddingFertilization in humans, flowering plants

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