Asexual Reproduction

Question: What’s the difference between a sprouting seed, and a Human Newborn baby?

The Sprouting seed is reproduced Asexually, in contrast to the Human Newborn baby which was
reproduced Sexually.

Definition: Asexual Reproduction is a process resulting in the production of genetically

identical offspring(s) from one parent.

Now before you memorise this, here is some simple explanation:

Every Organism has Chromosomes (long threads of DNA found in the nucleus of the cell) wherein
genetic information is contained*. When an organism reproduces asexually, some of the parent
organism's cells undergo cell division through mitosis*, producing new cell which are genetically
identical to their parent cells.

*See Inheritance for more information

Potatoes

Looks delicious doesn't it? That's why never study with an empty stomach!

Potatoes reproduce Asexually. That's how we get our Fries 🍟, and More Fries 🍟🍟, and even more
Fries 🍟🍟🍟.

1. A Parent potato plant has two kinds of stems- one which have leaves that photosynthesise,
and one which form stem tubers under the soil.
2. Sucrose from the leaves gets transported to the stem tubers where it is converted and stored as
starch.

3. Eventually, the tubers grow in size. And when they are large enough, they get harvested and used
as food, and of course, as Fries.

Sexual Reproduction

Yes. Humans reproduce through sexual reproduction.

Definition: Sexual Reproduction is a process involving the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes (sex
cells) to form a zygote and the production of offspring that are genetically different from each other

1. Gametes are sex cells that a parent organism that reproduces through sexual reproduction
produces. These include Egg and Sperm cells.

2. When two gametes fuse together, they form a new cell known as a Zygote. This process is known
as Fertilisation.

3. The Zygote then divides several times until a new organism is formed.

Gametes

A gamete only contains half the number of chromosomes than an ordinary cell. When a Zygote
forms, the two gametes fusing add up to the correct number of total chromosomes.

Human gametes such as egg and sperm cells only contain 23 chromosomes each. The normal
number of chromosomes in a human cell is 46. When fertilisation takes place, the Zygote formed will
usually have 46 chromosomes (23 + 23 = 46).

Haploid and Diploid Cells

A normal human cell contains two sets of 23 different kinds of chromosomes. One set comes from
the father and the other set from the mother.

A cell with one set of chromosome is called a haploid cell.

 The nuclei of a gamete is a Haploid cell.

A cell with two complete sets of chromosomes is called as a Diploid cell.

 The nucleus of a Zygote is a Diploid cell

 Sexual Reproduction in flowering plants
In plants, sexual reproduction leads to the production of seeds that may be
stored inside its fruit.
Sexual reproduction in flowering plants usually takes place in their flowers. The
function of a flower is to make gametes. Usually, plants are a hermaphrodite,
which means that they can produce both- male and female gametes.
Pollination
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains, from the male part of the plant
(anther of stamen) to the female part of the plant (stigma).
There are two major methods of pollination.
Insect pollination: involves the transfer of pollen carried out by an insect.

a. An insect such as a bee visits the flower.

b. It follows the guidelines towards the nectary and feeds on the nectar.

c. Meanwhile, some pollen gets brushed on its body and remains there.

d. When the insect visits another flower of the same plant or species, it is
likely that some pollen sticks onto the carpel.
Wind pollination: involves the medium of transfer of pollen as the wind.

Grass flower is an example of a wind pollinated flower

a. The anther produces large amounts of pollen grains.
b. The wind may blow some of these pollen onto the carpel of another
flower of the same species.

The Different Between Insect

Pollination and Wind Pollination!!
Wind Pollination Insect Pollination

Inconspicuous (pale coloured)

petals Bright, vibrant petals

Small, or no petals at all Large Petals

No Scent Often strongly scented

Often have nectaries at the base of

No Nectaries the flower

Anthers dangling outside flower, Anthers inside the flower, where

where wind flows insects can brush past it to eat nectar

Large and feathery stigma,

dangling outside flower, where Stigma inside the flower, where
wind flows insects can brush past it to eat nectar

Smooth surfaced, light pollen, that Sticky and thorny pollen, that can
can be blown away by the wind stick to insects

Enormous quantities of pollen Quite large quantities of pollen

made, because most will be blown made, because most will reach the
away and lost. wrong plant species’ flowers
Types of Pollination

There are two types of pollination, namely Self Pollination and Cross Pollination.

Self Pollination

Definition: Self Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to
the stigma of the same flower or different flower on the same plant.

We can understand self pollination better through these scenarios:

1. The pollen gets transferred from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower

2. The pollen gets transferred from the anther of a flower to the stigma of a different flower on
the same plant.

Cross Pollination

Definition: Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to
the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species.

Note that if the pollen lands on the stigma of a different species, the pollination will not be
successful.

Fertilisation

Pollination just transfers the pollen containing the male gamete to the stigma. This means that the
male gamete has not yet reached the ovule.

Steps to Fertilisation

1. A pollen tube grows into the style towards the ovary.

2. It secretes enzymes digest its way through it.

3. The ovary contains many ovules with a tough covering over each ovule called integuments.

4. The integuments have a small hole in them to let the male gamete pass called the micropyle.

5. The pollen tube grows through the micropyle.

6. The male gamete travels into the ovule

7. The male and female gametes fuse together and form a zygote.

8. Fertilisation takes place.

9. Seed germination
 10.

11. Germination occurs when a seed sprouts and starts to grow.

12. There are three environmental conditions that affect germination of seeds:

Factor Functions

- Makes the seed swell in order to burst open the testa.

Water - Activates Enzymes such as Amylase and Protease in the Cotyledons

Oxygen - Facilitates the release of energy needed for Germination

Suitable - Helps enzymes operate efficiently until the optimum temperature is

Temperature reached
Thxxxxx