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All 12 Flashcards — Sexual vs asexual reproduction
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Question
Define sexual reproduction.
Answer
Reproduction involving **two parents** and the **fusion of two gametes** to form the new organism.
Question
Define asexual reproduction.
Answer
Reproduction involving **one parent** and **no fusion of gametes** — the offspring are genetically identical to the parent.
Question
What is a gamete?
Answer
A **sex cell** (such as a sperm or an egg) that fuses with another gamete at fertilisation.
Question
What is fertilisation?
Answer
The **fusion of two gametes** to form a single new cell.
Question
What is a clone?
Answer
An organism that is **genetically identical** to its parent.
Question
How many parents does sexual reproduction need? Asexual?
Answer
Sexual reproduction needs **two** parents; asexual reproduction needs **one**.
Question
Which type of cell division does sexual reproduction use to make gametes?
Answer
**Meiosis** (followed by fertilisation when the gametes fuse).
Question
Which type of cell division does asexual reproduction use?
Answer
**Mitosis** only — it copies the genes exactly.
Question
Why are asexual offspring genetically identical to the parent?
Answer
There is **one parent** and only **mitosis**, so the genome is copied exactly — no gametes, no mixing of alleles.
Question
Name the three sources of genetic variation in sexual reproduction.
Answer
**Two parents** (different alleles), **meiosis** (shuffles alleles into different gametes) and **random fertilisation** (any gamete can fuse with any other).
Question
Why is genetic variation useful to a species?
Answer
It gives the species the **raw material for natural selection** to act on if the environment changes.
Question
A plant is grown from a cutting of one parent. How similar is its genome to the parent's?
Answer
**Genetically identical** — a cutting is asexual reproduction, so the genome is copied unchanged (a clone).
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Full study notes for Sexual vs asexual reproduction
Topic 4.7 hub
Reproduction
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