Reproductive Strategies and Cell Division Processes

Sexual Reproduction

TWO different reproductive cells, usually from male and female, unite to form new offspring.

Asexual Reproduction

ONE parent; needs much less energy than sexual reproduction and occurs much faster.

Lower Reproductive Potential

Able to have FEW offspring that will be able to reproduce too.

Greater Reproductive Potential

Able to have MANY offspring that will be able to reproduce too.

Zygote

Egg combines with sperm to form a zygote.

Binary Fission

Organism splits into 2 equal parts; examples include amoeba and bacteria.

Budding

Offspring grows as outgrowth from parent and breaks off; examples include yeast and hydra.

Regeneration

Offspring form from a part that breaks off a parent; examples include starfish and planaria.

Sporulation

Release of many spores that produce individual offspring; examples include mould and fungi.

Vegetative Reproduction

New plants produced without seeds; examples include runners, cuttings, bulbs, grafting.

Parthenogenesis

Egg development without fertilization; examples include daphnia, aphids, reptiles.

Genetic Continuity

Passing on genetic material to offspring.

Chromosomes

Structures made of DNA that carry genetic information.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information.

DNA Nucleotide

Monomer of DNA composed of a phosphate, deoxyribose sugar, and nitrogenous base (A, T, C, G).

Complementary Base Pairs

Adenine pairs with Thymine, and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.

Gene

A specific sequence of nucleotides that codes for a specific amino acid sequence.

Codon

A sequence of 3 bases that codes for one amino acid.

Double Helix

The structure of DNA, which is double stranded.

Nuclear Replication

Process by which copies of DNA are made, occurring in the nucleus before cell division.

Chromosome Number

Each species has a particular number of chromosomes; e.g., human - 46, fruit fly - 8.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosomes that occur in pairs, similar in form and arrangement of genetic material.

Allele

Alternate form of a gene located at a particular place on a chromosome.

Mitosis

Nuclear division characterized by chromosome replication and formation of two identical daughter nuclei.

Cell Cycle

The process through which a cell prepares to divide and actually performs steps of cell division.