How do Organisms Reproduce Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering biological reproduction concepts, plant reproductive anatomy, human development, and modes of sexual and asexual reproduction.

Reproduction

Biological process by which a living organism produces offspring similar to itself.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

A genetic material found in chromosomes present in the nucleus of the cell.

Sexual reproduction

Requires two parents and involves fusion of male and female gametes.

Sepals

Green structures that protect flower buds, collectively called calyx.

Petals

Colourful structures that help in attracting pollinators, collectively called corolla.

Stamens

Male reproductive parts of flowers, consisting of anther and filament.

Carpels

Female reproductive parts of flowers, consisting of style, stigma, and ovary.

Bisexual flowers

Flowers where both stamens and carpels are present, e.g. Hibiscus.

Unisexual flowers

Flowers where either stamens or carpels are present, e.g. corn.

Pollination

Transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of the same or different flower.

Fertilization

Fusion of male and female gametes resulting in zygote formation.

Puberty

The period of life where changes set in for the development of a young individual into an adult.

Sperms

The male gametes produced by the testes.

Menstruation

Process where the uterus lining breaks down and is released in the form of blood and mucous through the vagina; usually lasts for 2 to 8 days.

Embryo

A ball of cells that has started differentiating into tissues and organs.

Foetus

A stage of embryo that shows main recognizable features of a mature organism.

Gestation period

The nine months during which the foetus develops inside the mother’s body.

Vegetative propagation

Natural or artificial process in plants where new plants are formed from vegetative parts like root, stem, or leaves.

Mound layering

Methods where branches of plants are bent to touch the soil and covered so that roots grow at the node.

Air layering

Method used for plants with thick stems where a part of the stem is removed, covered with moist cotton, and enclosed in a bag until roots appear.

Stock

The plant whose root portion is used during the grafting process.

Scion

The plant whose stem portion is used during the grafting process.

Micro propagation (tissue culture)

Method where meristematic tissue is grown in a suitable medium into a callus to be propagated into a new plant.

Hybridization

Mating of two individuals of different genotype to create a new individual called a hybrid.

Emasculation

The process of removing anthers from the female flower to prevent self-pollination during hybridization.

Multiple fission

Asexual reproduction where a single cell divides into many daughter cells simultaneously, e.g., Plasmodium and Amoeba.

Fragmentation

Asexual reproduction where new organisms are formed from fragments of parents, e.g., lichens.

Regeneration

Mode of asexual reproduction where new organisms are formed from body parts, e.g., Planaria and Hydra.

Budding

Asexual reproduction where new individuals grow from protrusions called buds, e.g., Hydra.