Plant Biology: Reproduction and Life Cycles

These flashcards cover key concepts related to plant reproduction and life cycles as discussed in the lecture.

Sexual Reproduction

The process of creating a new organism by combining the genetic material of two organisms.

Asexual Reproduction

When the parent is genetically identical to the offspring, because there was only one parent instead of two.

Cavendish Banana

The type of banana commercially available today that only reproduces asexually and is genetically identical.

Gros Michel Banana

The banana variety that was wiped out by Panama Disease in the 1950s due to a lack of genetic diversity.

Meiosis

Cell division that cuts the number of chromosomes in half, leading to the production of gametes.

Mitosis

Cell division that copies the cell exactly, keeping the number of chromosomes the same.

Gametes

Sperm and egg cells produced during sexual reproduction.

Panama Disease

A fungal disease that severely affected the Gros Michel banana population, leading to its extinction.

Evolution

The process of change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Genetic Material

DNA that contains the information necessary for the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms.