Reproduction: Types & Reproduction Process for Animals & Plants

Reproduction is a biological process through which living organisms genetically produce similar offspring. Reproduction is one of the fundamental features of all living organisms through which they ensure continuity of their species and genetic material across generations. The process of reproduction is classified into two types asexual and sexual process. In asexual reproduction single organism gives rise to new individual where as in sexual reproduction two individual organism called gametes interact sexually to give rise to an individual.

This article aims to cover all the details related to reproduction process, types of reproduction, reproduction in plants and animals. You can also check NCERT solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 1 for better understanding of the process of reproduction. The solution sets will help the students to understand the correct approach that needs to be followed to answer the questions mentioned in the exercise. Students can further download the PDF of the NCERT books and the previous year question papers as well.

Reproduction: Definition

Reproduction is a biological process that give rise to offspring. We can say that, it is the model of conservation of species throughout the evolution. With this process, there is transfer of genetic material from one generation to another. Based on the participation of one or two organisms in the process of reproduction, it is classified into two types. The reproduction of offspring by a single organism with or without gamete formation, is called as asexual reproduction. The reproduction of offspring by two organisms with fusion of male and female gamete is known as sexual reproduction.

Reproduction: Types

There are two types of reproduction:

1. Asexual reproduction
2. Sexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction

The reproduction of offspring without the involvement of fusion of gamete is known as asexual reproduction. In this type of reproduction, the offspring are produced which are exact copies of their parent. We can term them as clones as they are identical morphologically and genetically. There is less diversity in asexual type of reproduction. Such type of reproduction process is observed in unicellular organisms however it is not just limited to unicellular organism.

Organism which are produced through asexual reproduction process has a high growth rate of population as they do not require mate to reproduce.

A sexual reproduction is divided into following types:

1. Binary Fission: The cells are divided into equal halves growing into separate individuals. For example, amoeba
2. Budding: The cells are divided unequal where small buds are produced that remain attached to the parent cell and eventually get separated into new organism. For example, yeast
3. Vegetative Propagules: In case of plants, the vegetative parts such as runner, rhizome, sucker, tuber, offset and bulb can give rise to new offspring.
4. Fragmentation: The parent splits into multiple parts giving rise to individual organisms. For example, algae
5. Sporogenesis: The organism are produced from the spores without fertilization. The spores can be dispersed through the winds, birds or animals.

Sexual Reproduction

The reproduction of offspring by fusion of male and female gametes by same organism or by different are known as sexual reproduction. The gamete are fused to form zygote and eventually a new offspring. The process of sexual reproduction is slow as compared to the asexual reproduction. Unlike asexual reproduction, the offspring are not identical to their parents. For example, plants, animals or fungi has similar mode of sexual reproduction.

In Sexual reproduction male and female gamete fuse together which is known as fertilization. There are two types of fertilization i.e., internal and external. These events are distinguished into three stages such as pre fertilization, fertilization and post fertilization.

1. Pre Fertilization- It includes events before the fusion of gametes. There are two types of events such as gametogenesis and gamete transfer. The former is the formation of two gametes i.e., male and female whereas, the latter is bringing gametes to facilitate fusion.
2. Fertilization-It occurs when there is fusion of gametes. There are two types of fertilization i.e., external and internal fertilization. In external fertilization, the fusion of gametes occurs in the external medium. For example, algae and fishes. On the other hand, internal fertilization occurs inside the body of organism. For example, birds, reptiles, mammals etc.
3. Post Fertilization- It occurs after the formation of zygote. Later, embryogenesis takes place which is the development of embryo from the zygote.

Reproduction in Plants

Plants can reproduce by sexual or asexual mode where part of the plant such tuber or rhizome can undergo vegetative propagation which is a case of asexual reproduction. Generally, sexual reproduction takes place through the process of pollination where there is transfer of pollen from anther of male flower to stigma of female flower. We all know that flowers are the reproductive part of the plant where stamens are the male reproductive part and pistils are the female reproductive part.

The flowers consisting of either pistil or stamen is called as unisexual flowers. For example, corn, papaya, cucumber etc. The flowers which contains both are known as bisexual flowers. For example, mustard, rose, petunia etc. In plant reproduction, anthers consists of pollens which produces male gametes whereas, pistils consists of ovary which produces female gamete.

The transfer of anthers to the stigma of a flower is called as pollination. If the pollen falls on the stigma of the same flower then it is known as self pollination and if it falls on the stigma of a flower of different plant is called as cross pollination. After fertilisation, the ovary grows into a fruit and other parts of the flower fall off. The fruit is the ripened ovary. The seeds develop from the ovules. Later the seed grows under the right conditions to become a plant.

Reproduction in Animals

Animals also reproduce through sexual and asexual processes. They also possess different reproductive part or organs. Like plants, animals also produce gametes and fuse to form a zygote. Later, the zygote develops into a mature individual.

In sexual reproduction, there is fusion of male and female gametes. The male reproductive organ produces male gametes sperm whereas, female reproduction organ produces female gametes ovum. The process of fusion of male and female gamete is known as fertilization resulting in formation of zygote. There are two types of fertilization i.e., internal and external. The fusion of gametes undergoing inside the body is known as internal fertilization. For example, humans, reptiles, birds, plants etc. And the fusion of gametes undergoing in external medium is known as external fertilization. For example, fish, starfish etc.

After the formation of zygote, there is a development of embryo. The zygote undergo cell division to form different tissues and organs. This development structure is known as embryo.

In asexual reproduction, single parent is involved. For example, hydra, amoeba. In case of hydra, new individuals are developed as outgrowths from a single parent. Such type of reproduction is called as budding. Another example of asexual reproduction in animals is Amoeba which is a single celled microorganism. It produces offspring by dividing its body into two halves. This type of reproduction is called as binary fission.

FAQs Regarding Reproduction

Frequently asked question related to reproduction are listed as follows:

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