Understanding Reproduction in Biology: Types, Methods, and Examples
Reproduction
Reproduction is an integral feature of all living beings. The process by which a living being produces its own kind is called reproduction.
Importance of Reproduction
Reproduction is important for each species because this is the only way for a living being to continue its lineage. Apart from being important for a particular individual, reproduction is also important for the whole ecosystem. Reproduction helps in maintaining a proper balance among various biotic constituents of the ecosystem. Moreover, reproduction also facilitates evolution because variations come through reproduction over several generations.
Types of Reproduction
Asexual Reproduction
When a single parent is involved and no gamete formation takes place, the method is called asexual reproduction. No meiosis happens during asexual reproduction.
Sexual Reproduction
When two parents are involved and gamete formation takes place, the method is called sexual reproduction. Meiosis happens during gamete formation, which is an important step of sexual reproduction.
Reproduction in Simple Organisms
Binary Fission
Most of the unicellular animals prefer this method for reproduction. These organisms reproduce by binary fission, especially when conditions are favorable, i.e., an adequate amount of food and moisture is available. Binary fission is somewhat similar to mitosis. The mother cell divides into two daughter cells, and each daughter cell begins its life like a new individual. The parent generation ceases to exist after binary fission. Amoeba is a very good example of an organism that reproduces by binary fission.
Multiple Fission
When conditions become unfavorable, i.e., food, moisture, proper temperature, etc., are not available, this is the preferred mode of reproduction by unicellular organisms. The organism develops a thick coating around itself. This is called a cyst. The cyst helps the organism to tide over the bad phase. The nucleus divides into several nuclei, and each daughter nucleus is surrounded by a membrane. All metabolic activities stop in the organism after cyst formation. When favorable conditions return, the cyst dissolves or breaks down, releasing the daughter nuclei. The daughter nuclei, in turn, grow into new individuals. Plasmodium and entamoeba undergo the cyst stage when they are not in the body of their prime host, i.e., humans.
Budding
Yeast is an example of a unicellular organism that reproduces by budding. Hydra is an example of a multicellular organism that reproduces by this method.
Budding in Yeast
A small bud grows at any end of the yeast cell. The nucleus gets elongated, and a part of it protrudes into the bud. The nucleus then divides into two nuclei. One of the nuclei goes into the bud. The bud grows to a certain extent and gets detached from the mother cell.
Budding in Hydra
A bud grows anywhere on the main body of the hydra. The bud grows to a certain size and gets detached from the mother hydra. This develops further to grow into a new individual.
Fragmentation
Reproduction by fragmentation is seen in filamentous algae, e.g., spirogyra. The filament of spirogyra divides into many pieces, and each piece develops into a new individual.
Regeneration
Some simple organisms can regenerate a new individual from a part that has been accidentally cut off. Planaria shows a good example of reproduction by regeneration. If a planaria is cut into several pieces, each piece develops into a new individual.
Spore Formation
Most of the fungi, bryophytes, and pteridophytes reproduce by this method. Spores are produced in special spore-bearing organs called sporangium. When spores mature, the sporangium bursts open to release them.
Advantages of Spore Formation
Spores give certain survival benefits to the organisms that reproduce by spores. Spores can be disseminated through air and water or even through some other carriers, like animals. This helps an organism to spread its presence to a wider geographical area. Spores can also remain dormant for a long time, till favorable conditions are found. Scientists consider spores to be precursors of seeds.
Vegetative Propagation
Vegetative propagation is a special case, as it happens in higher plants, which otherwise have the capability to reproduce sexually. When a vegetative part of a flowering plant reproduces a new plant, it is called vegetative propagation. Some examples of vegetative propagation are given below.
Tuber of Potato
The potato tuber is a modified stem. Many notches can be seen on the surface of the potato. These are called ‘eyes’ of the potato. Each ‘eye’ of a potato can give rise to a new potato plant. Farmers utilize this capability of potatoes to grow potatoes more quickly, which is not possible by using the seeds of potatoes.
Modified Roots of Carrot and Sweet Potato
Carrot and sweet potato are examples of modifications of roots for food storage. These roots can give rise to new plants when kept under the soil.
Rhizomes of Ginger and Turmeric
Rhizomes are examples of modified underground stems for food storage. These contain nodes, internodes, and scaly leaves. When buried under the soil, the rhizomes produce new plants.
Leaf of Bryophyllum
Leaves of bryophyllum have notches on the margin. If a leaf is put under the soil, small saplings grow from the notches on the leaf margin.
Artificial Vegetative Propagation
Man has used artificial vegetative propagation to grow many plants. This has enabled farmers and horticulturists to grow many plants in a shorter duration and has helped them to earn more profit. Artificial vegetative propagation has also helped in developing many new varieties of plants. Stem cutting, layering, and grafting are the preferred means of artificial vegetative propagation.
Advantages of Asexual Reproduction
- The organism does not have to depend on another organism for carrying out reproduction because a single parent is needed.
- It takes less time than sexual reproduction, and hence, more offspring can be produced in a shorter time.
- The offspring are exact clones of their parent.
- Desirable characteristics can be easily incorporated into plants with artificial vegetative propagation.
Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction
- As a single parent is involved, there is a negligible chance of variation.
- In most cases in simple organisms, the parent generation ceases to exist after asexual reproduction.
- Asexual reproduction cannot give rise to biodiversity, which is important for a healthy ecosystem.