Reproduction is the process by which living organisms produce offspring. In plants, it occurs through two main modes: asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction.
- Asexual reproduction involves vegetative parts (roots, stems, leaves) and includes methods like vegetative propagation, budding, fragmentation, and spore formation.
- Sexual reproduction involves reproductive parts (flowers) and includes processes like pollination, fertilization, and seed formation.
Asexual Reproduction Methods:
- Vegetative Propagation (using roots, stems, or leaves): Examples include sweet potato (roots), potato (stem tuber), and Bryophyllum (leaves).
- Budding: Yeast reproduces by forming buds that detach and grow.
- Fragmentation: Algae like Spirogyra break into fragments that grow into new individuals.
- Spore Formation: Spores are protected structures that germinate under favorable conditions (e.g., moss, ferns).
Sexual Reproduction Stages:
- Pollination: Transfer of pollen from stamen to pistil (self or cross-pollination).
- Fertilization: Fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote.
- Seed and Fruit Formation: Ovules develop into seeds, and the ovary becomes the fruit.
Seed Dispersal
Seeds are transported by wind, water, animals, or mechanical means to reduce competition and promote growth in diverse habitats.
Notes Table on Reproduction in Plants
| Topic | Details | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetative Parts | Roots, stems, leaves involved in nutrient transport, food production. | Roots (sweet potato), stems (potato). |
| Reproductive Parts | Flowers (stamen, pistil) responsible for sexual reproduction. | Flowers (rose, lily). |
| Asexual Reproduction | New plants without seeds. Includes vegetative propagation, budding, fragmentation, spore formation. | Sweet potato, yeast, Spirogyra, ferns. |
| Sexual Reproduction | Involves seeds, flowers (pollination, fertilization). | Mustard, papaya, watermelon. |
| Pollination | Transfer of pollen grains (self or cross-pollination). | Bees aid cross-pollination. |
| Fertilization | Fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote. | Occurs in flowers. |
| Seed Dispersal | Transport of seeds by wind, water, animals, or mechanical means. | Coconut (water), maple (wind). |
Quiz on Reproduction in Plants
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is reproduction?
a) Growth of a plant
b) Production of offspring
c) Photosynthesis
d) Seed dispersal
Answer: b
2. What are vegetative parts of a plant?
a) Flowers and fruits
b) Roots, stems, and leaves
c) Seeds
d) None of these
Answer: b
3. Which plant reproduces by stem tubers?
a) Sweet potato
b) Potato
c) Bryophyllum
d) Moss
Answer: b
4. What process transfers pollen grains to the stigma?
a) Fertilization
b) Pollination
c) Spore formation
d) Budding
Answer: b
5. Which type of flowers have both stamen and pistil?
a) Unisexual flowers
b) Bisexual flowers
c) Self-pollinating flowers
d) Cross-pollinating flowers
Answer: b
True/False Questions
- Vegetative propagation requires seeds. (False)
- Yeast reproduces by budding. (True)
- Pollination occurs only by insects. (False)
- The embryo develops into a seed. (True)
- Spirogyra reproduces by spore formation. (False)
Short Answer Questions
11. Name two plants that reproduce using tuberous roots.
Answer: Sweet potato, dahlia.
12. What are the three parts of a pistil?
Answer: Stigma, style, ovary.
13. How do spores survive unfavorable conditions?
Answer: Spores have a hard protective covering.
14. Define self-pollination.
Answer: Transfer of pollen grains to the stigma of the same flower.
15. Give an example of a unisexual flower.
Answer: Papaya.
Fill in the Blanks
16. The male reproductive part of a flower is called the _______.
Answer: Stamen
17. _______ is the process of fusion of male and female gametes.
Answer: Fertilization
18. Bryophyllum reproduces by _______.
Answer: Leaves
19. A zygote develops into an _______.
Answer: Embryo
20. Seeds are dispersed by wind, water, animals, and _______ means.
Answer: Mechanical
Match the Following
- Stamen a) Female part
- Pistil b) Male part
- Pollination c) Pollen grains transfer
- Fertilization d) Zygote formation
- Fruit formation e) Ovary develops
Answers:
- 21-b
- 22-a
- 23-c
- 24-d
- 25-e