Sexual Reproduction
What is the process called when two parents contribute genetic material to produce offspring?
What is a type of reproduction that involves only one parent?
Examples of asexual reproduction include: budding, fragmentation, and binary fission.
What is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring?
This process is called natural selection.
What is the process of humans selecting specific traits in organisms for breeding?
This process is called artifical selection, or selective breeding.
Name one advantage of sexual reproduction.
Offspring are genetically diverse which helps the organisms adapt better to changes in their environments.
Name one advantage of asexual reproduction.
Advantages: faster process, retention of favorable traits, and simpler process.
Who is known as the father of evolution?
Give an example of an animal that has been artificially selected for a specific trait.
Answers will vary.
Dogs have been bred for specific traits: hunting, herding, guarding, etc.
Plants have been bred to produce more crops, be more pest resistant, produce crops faster, etc.
What type of cells are involved in sexual reproduction?
Reproductive cells are called gametes
What is budding, and which organisms commonly use this method?
Budding is when a miniature version of the organism grows off the parent, detaches, and then grows into full size. This is commonly used by some plants and protists.
Name one example of a trait that might be favored by natural selection.
Answers will vary.
Traits that might be favored by natural selection: any body covering that allows for camouflage, traits that allow organisms to survive extreme conditions, and traits that make it more likely for an organism to reproduce.
How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?
Artifical selection is done with human intervention but natural selection is done without it.
Give an example of an animal that reproduces sexually.
Lots of possible answers - most animals, most plants, some protists, and some fungi.
NO bacteria.
Explain how binary fission works in bacteria.
The bacteria uses genetic material in the cytoplasm of the cell to create an exact copy of itself in its entirety. Then the two copies split and make two separate organisms.
How does natural selection lead to changes in an organism over time?
Natural selection ensures that the favorable traits for survival are passed on. Organisms that have traits that allow them to live long enough to reproduce will pass those traits on.
What can be a negative consequence of artificial selection?
A major negative consequence of artificial selection is the reduction of genetic diversity. This can lead to increased vulnerability to diseases, as a narrower gene pool means fewer individuals are likely to have resistance to new or emerging pathogens.
How does genetic diversity benefit a species that reproduces sexually?
Genetic diversity allows organisms to better adapt to changes in their environment.
Give an example of an organism that reproduces asexually.
Examples include: all bacteria (eubacteria and archaebacteria), some protists, and some plants. There are a small handful of animals that can also reproduce asexually.
What is the difference between natural selection and artificial selection?
Natural selection occurs naturally whereas artificial selection is performed by human intervention.
Why do farmers often use artificial selection in agriculture?
Farmers use artificial selection, also known as selective breeding, to improve crop and livestock traits, ultimately leading to increased productivity, better quality, and greater adaptability to various environments.