8. Reproduction in Plants

1. What is reproduction in plants?

Ans: 

The production of new individuals of the same kind from their parents is called reproduction.

Tip: Reproduction means making new plants!

2. What are the benefits of reproduction?

Ans:

1. It helps in survival of species.
2. Without reproduction life would not be possible.
3. It helps in genetic diversity.

3. What are the two main types of reproduction in plants?

Ans:

1. The two main types are asexual and sexual reproduction.
2. Asexual reproduction uses parts of the plant, while sexual reproduction uses seeds.

Tip: Asexual = no seeds; Sexual = seeds!

4. What are the benefits of asexual reproduction in plants?

Ans: 

1. Rapid multiplication of plants.
2. New plants are exact copies of parent plant.
3. Important desirable traits can be preserved.
4. Better survival rate.

5. What are rhizomes? Give examples.

Ans:

Rhizomes are fleshy underground stems that have buds which develop into new plants.

Eg: ginger, turmeric, etc.

6. What is cutting of stem? Explain reproduction through cutting.

Ans:

1. Cutting is a piece of branch cut from the branch of the plant.
2. This cutting is then buried in the soil.
3. After some days a new plant arises from this cutting.
4. Eg: rose, sugarcane, money plant, etc.

7. Explain vegetative propagation through leaves.

Ans:

1. Buds present in the margins of the leaves which give rise to new plants.
2. When the leaf of this plant falls on moist soil, each bud can give rise to a new plant.
3. Or when these buds get favourable conditions, they develop into small new plantlets on the leaf.
4. Eg: Bryophyllum, Begonia

8. Explain reproduction in cacti.

Ans:

1. Cacti produces new plants by asexual reproduction. 
2. Parts from the main plant body get detached.
3. Each detached part can grow into a new plant.
4. Thus, it undergoes vegetative propagation by detaching parts of its body.

9. Define is sexual reproduction in plants?

Ans:

1. Sexual reproduction in plants is formation of new plants by fusion of male & female gametes.
2. The fusion results in formation of zygote which forms the seed.
3. New plants are produced from seeds.
4. Flower is the reproductive organ of flowering plants.

10. What is a flower's role in plants?

Ans:

• A flower is the reproductive part of a plant.
• It helps in the process of pollination and fertilization.

Tip: Flowers are important for making new plants!

11. What are the benefits of sexual reproduction in plants?

Ans:

1. Increases genetic diversity.
2. Have a better survival rate.
3. They are less likely to be affected by various diseases.
4. Seeds can be dispersed to new areas.

12. What is pollination?

Ans:

It is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of a flower.

Tip: Pollination helps flowers make seeds!

13: Name & explain the types of pollination.

Ans:

There are two ways in which pollination take place.

1. Self pollination: 

• The pollen grain lands on the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant.
• It does not require pollinating agents.

2. Cross Pollination:

• The pollen grain lands on the stigma a flower of a different plant of the same kind.
• This type of pollination depends on pollinating agents like water, wind & insects.

14. What is fertilization in plants?

Ans:

The process of formation of zygote by fusion of male & female gametes is called as fertilization.

Tip: Fertilization is like a plant's way of having babies!

15. What is vegetative propagation?

Ans:

It is a type of asexual reproduction, in which reproduction happens through vegetative parts.

New plants are produced from vegetative parts like: leaves, roots, stem & buds.

Tip: Vegetative propagation means growing plants from their parts!

16. What are the benefits of vegetative propagation?

Ans:

1. Reproduction by this method is faster than those produced from seeds.
2. It takes less time to grow & bear flowers & fruits.
3. The new plants are exact copies of the parent plant as they are produced from a single parent.
4. The plants are mostly disease resistant.

17. Name the male & female reproductive parts of the flower.

Ans:

Stamen:

1. It is the male reproductive part of the flower.
2. It consists of anther & filament.
3. The anther consists of pollen grains which produce the male gametes.

Pistil:

1. It is the female reproductive part of the flower.
2. It consists of a stigma, style and ovary.
3. The ovary contains ovules

The egg or female gamete is formed in the ovule. 

18. What is the mature ovary of a flower called?

Ans:

The mature ovary is called a fruit. It contains the seeds of the plant.

Tip: Fruits are the plant's way of protecting seeds!

19. What are gametes?

Ans:

Gametes are the male and female reproductive cells. Male gametes are found in pollen grains, and female gametes are in the ovule.

20. What is the function of the stigma of a flower?

Ans:

1. Stigma is a part of the pistil which is the female reproductive part of the flower.
2. It receives the pollen grain.
3. It is essential for the process of pollination.

21. What is fragmentation in plants?

Ans:

1. This type of asexual reproduction takes place in algae.
2. When algae gets water & nutrients, it breaks up into two or more fragments which grow into new individuals.
3. By this process of fragmentation, they cover a large area in a short period of time.

22. What different types of flowers? Explain each with examples.

Ans:

1. Unisexual flowers: They contain either only pistil or only stamen. Thus the male & female flowers are separate. These flowers can be present on the same or different plants.
2. Bisexual flowers: They contain both stamens & pistil in the same flower. Thus the male & female parts of the flower are on the same flower.

Tip: Unisexual = one sex; Bisexual = both sexes!

23. What is the importance of seed dispersal?

Ans:

1. It avoids overcrowding of young plans around their parents plants.
2. It helps in preventing competition between the plant & its own seedlings for sunlight, water & minerals.
3. It enables the plant to grow in new habitats for wider distribution.
4. It provides better chance of survival.

Tip: Dispersal helps plants spread out and grow better!

24. What is the process of spore formation?

1. In this type of asexual reproduction, there is a sac called sporangium.
2. It which consists of hundreds of spores. 
3. As the sporangium burst opens, the spores are released in the air.
4. As the spores are very light, they can be carried by wind, water or air to long distances. 
5. A spore germinates & develops into a new plant under favourable conditions.

Tip: Spores grow into new plants!

25. What is the role of the anther in a flower?

Ans:

The anther consists of pollen grains which produce the male gametes. A mature anther releases pollen grains for pollination. 

Tip: The anther is like a pollen factory!