Biodiversity: Sexual vs Non-sexual reproduction “ Joy in looking and comprehending is natures most beautiful gift.” Einstein

Review: 1.What is asexual reproduction? When only one parent supplies the information to the offspring. The genetic material of their offspring (their inherited characteristics) are identical to the parents. 2. How is asexual reproduction different from sexual reproduction? 3. List 3 types of asexual reproduction. Binary Fission, spores, and budding. Some plants also reproduce using asexual reproduction in the form of shoots and runners. 4. What is an advantage and a disadvantage to asexual reproduction? Advantages: only one parent needed, large number of offspring, happens very quickly. Disadvantage: lack diversity

Binary Fision Budding in Hydra

Sexual Reproduction: In sexual reproduction, there are two parents, and each parent contributes exactly one half of the genes of the offspring. Females produce specialized cells containing one half of the normal gene count called egg cells, or ova. Males produce specialized swimming cells called sperm cells, that also contain one half of the gene count.

When the female and male gametes meet, they combine to form a zygote. The zygote contains genetic information from both parents. Can you think of any advantages to sexual reproduction? Creates diversity which allows for individuals to adapt to their environment. What might be some disadvantages? Slow, relatively few offspring, need two parents.

Fertilization: The fusion of one sperm cell with one egg cell brings together a complete set of genes. This is called fertilization. Internal fertilization involves mating, whereas external fertilization means the eggs and sperm are simply shed into the water and fertilization is random.

In the case of plants, the sperm cells are carried in tiny spores called pollen, and the eggs are retained in the ovary found in the pistil of the flower. plants/plant-reproduction/

Animals either spawn, like fishes or invertebrates, or mate like mammals and birds. In the case of mammals and birds there is usually an extended period of parental protection and care for the young. What might be an advantage/disadvantage to external/internal fertilization? O9ac&playnext=1&list=PL00BE &feature=results_main

Some organisms reproduce both sexually and asexually EdX4MaMFE Many plants reproduce sexually and asexually. Runners, rhizomes, bulbs and tubers are examples of asexual reproduction.

“ There is nothing puerile in nature; and they who become impassioned of a flower, a blade of grass, a butterfly’s wing, a nest, a shell, wraps their passion round a small thing that contains a great truth” Maeterlinck