Reproduction: How Life Continues
Grade 9 Science — Question Bank
PART A — MCQs
Q1. What is the main importance of reproduction?
A) Growth B) Continuity of life C) Respiration D) Nutrition
Q2. Which is an example of asexual reproduction?
A) Fertilisation B) Pollination C) Budding in yeast D) Fusion of gametes
Q3. Vegetative propagation produces new plants from:
A) Seeds B) Vegetative parts C) Pollen only D) Gametes
Q4. Which plant produces plantlets from its leaves?
A) Wheat B) Bryophyllum C) Maize D) Rice
Q5. Which is an artificial method of vegetative propagation?
A) Budding B) Spore formation C) Grafting D) Pollination
Q6. Asexual reproduction generally produces offspring that are:
A) Very different B) Genetically similar/identical C) Always larger D) Always weaker
Q7. Which process produces haploid gametes?
A) Mitosis B) Meiosis C) Budding D) Grafting
Q8. Sexual reproduction is important because it produces:
A) No variation B) Genetic variation C) Only clones D) Identical offspring
Q9. The male reproductive part of a flower is the:
A) Pistil B) Stamen C) Ovary D) Stigma
Q10. Pollen grains are produced in the:
A) Stigma B) Ovary C) Anther D) Style
Q11. The pollen-receiving part of a flower is the:
A) Ovule B) Stigma C) Anther D) Filament
Q12. Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma is called:
A) Fertilisation B) Pollination C) Implantation D) Germination
Q13. Pollen transfer between flowers of two different plants of the same type is:
A) Self-pollination B) Cross-pollination C) Fertilisation D) Budding
Q14. Which is the correct sequence?
A) Fertilisation → pollination → zygote
B) Pollination → pollen tube → fertilisation → zygote
C) Zygote → pollination → fertilisation
D) Seed → pollination → pollen tube
Q15. After fertilisation, the ovule becomes a:
A) Fruit B) Seed C) Pollen grain D) Stigma
Q16. After fertilisation, the ovary generally becomes a:
A) Seed B) Fruit C) Pollen grain D) Embryo
Q17. Which is commonly wind-pollinated?
A) Maize B) Hibiscus C) Rose D) Sunflower
Q18. Bright colour, fragrance and nectar in flowers mainly help in:
A) Wind pollination B) Insect pollination C) Fertilisation D) Seed formation
Q19. External fertilisation commonly occurs in:
A) Birds B) Mammals C) Frogs and many fish D) Reptiles
Q20. Internal fertilisation generally provides:
A) Less protection B) Greater protection to developing young C) No variation D) External development only
Q21. Sperm are produced in the human:
A) Ovaries B) Testes C) Uterus D) Prostate
Q22. Eggs are produced in the:
A) Uterus B) Oviduct C) Ovaries D) Cervix
Q23. Release of a mature egg from an ovary is called:
A) Menstruation B) Ovulation C) Implantation D) Fertilisation
Q24. A human sperm normally contains:
A) 46 chromosomes B) 23 chromosomes C) 92 chromosomes D) 44 chromosomes
Q25. Fusion of sperm and egg produces a:
A) Foetus B) Embryo C) Zygote D) Placenta
Q26. Implantation occurs in the:
A) Ovary B) Uterine lining C) Oviduct only D) Vagina
Q27. Shedding of the uterine lining is called:
A) Ovulation B) Menstruation C) Fertilisation D) Implantation
Q28. Which is an IUD?
A) Condom B) Copper-T C) Oral pill D) Vaginal cover
Q29. Which contraceptive can also reduce STI transmission?
A) Copper-T B) Oral pill C) Condom D) Surgical method
Q30. Which is an STI?
A) Malaria B) Gonorrhoea C) Dengue D) Cholera
PART B — FILL IN THE BLANKS
Q31. Reproduction ensures the ________ of life.
Q32. Reproduction involving one parent is generally called ________ reproduction.
Q33. Budding is a type of ________ reproduction.
Q34. Potato and ginger reproduce through ________ propagation.
Q35. The male reproductive part of a flower is the ________.
Q36. The female reproductive part is the ________.
Q37. Pollen grains are produced in the ________.
Q38. Pollen is received by the ________.
Q39. Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma is called ________.
Q40. Fusion of male and female gametes is called ________.
Q41. The fertilised egg is called a ________.
Q42. After fertilisation, an ovule develops into a ________.
Q43. After fertilisation, the ovary develops into a ________.
Q44. ________ produces gametes with half the chromosome number.
Q45. Human gametes contain ________ chromosomes.
Q46. Sperm are produced in the ________.
Q47. Eggs are produced in the ________.
Q48. Release of a mature egg is called ________.
Q49. The developing foetus grows inside the ________.
Q50. Periodic shedding of the uterine lining is called ________.
PART C — TRUE OR FALSE
Q51. Asexual reproduction generally requires two parents.
Q52. Asexual reproduction generally produces genetically similar offspring.
Q53. Grafting is a method of vegetative propagation.
Q54. Meiosis produces gametes with half the chromosome number.
Q55. Sexual reproduction can produce genetic variation.
Q56. The stamen is the female reproductive part of a flower.
Q57. The anther produces pollen.
Q58. Pollination and fertilisation are the same process.
Q59. Cross-pollination occurs between different plants of the same type.
Q60. The ovule becomes a fruit after fertilisation.
Q61. Frogs commonly show external fertilisation.
Q62. Mammals generally show internal fertilisation.
Q63. Human gametes contain 46 chromosomes.
Q64. Ovulation is the release of a mature egg.
Q65. Menstruation normally indicates that pregnancy has begun.
Q66. Condoms can reduce STI transmission.
Q67. Copper-T is an IUD.
Q68. Sexual maturity and emotional maturity are automatically achieved at the same time.
PART D — MATCH THE FOLLOWING
Q69. Match Column A with Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Budding | a. Produces pollen |
| 2. Stamen | b. Yeast |
| 3. Pistil | c. Female reproductive part |
| 4. Anther | d. Male reproductive part |
| 5. Fertilisation | e. Fusion of gametes |
Q70. Match Column A with Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Testes | a. Eggs |
| 2. Ovaries | b. Sperm |
| 3. Uterus | c. Implantation/development |
| 4. Copper-T | d. IUD |
| 5. Ovulation | e. Egg release |
PART E — VERY SHORT ANSWER
Q71. What is reproduction?
Q72. Name the two main modes of reproduction.
Q73. Name two organisms that reproduce by budding.
Q74. What is vegetative propagation?
Q75. Name two artificial methods of vegetative propagation.
Q76. What is meiosis?
Q77. What is pollination?
Q78. What is fertilisation?
Q79. What is a zygote?
Q80. Name two pollinating agents.
Q81. Where are sperm produced?
Q82. Where are eggs produced?
Q83. What is ovulation?
Q84. What is menstruation?
Q85. What is IVF?
Q86. What is an STI?
PART F — SHORT ANSWER
Q87. Why is reproduction important?
Q88. Why are asexual offspring usually genetically similar to the parent?
Q89. Why is vegetative propagation useful in agriculture?
Q90. Why is meiosis important?
Q91. Why does sexual reproduction produce variation?
Q92. Differentiate between self-pollination and cross-pollination.
Q93. Explain the roles of anther and stigma.
Q94. Why do wind-pollinated plants produce large quantities of pollen?
Q95. Why are insect-pollinated flowers often colourful and fragrant?
Q96. Why do animals with external fertilisation produce many eggs?
Q97. Compare external and internal fertilisation.
Q98. Why do human gametes contain 23 chromosomes?
Q99. What happens when fertilisation does not result in pregnancy?
Q100. Why is maternal care important during pregnancy?
Q101. How do condoms help in reproductive health?
PART G — GIVE REASONS
Q102. Asexual reproduction can be rapid.
Q103. Vegetatively propagated plants are genetically similar.
Q104. Sexual reproduction is important for variation.
Q105. Wind-pollinated plants produce large amounts of pollen.
Q106. Frogs produce many eggs.
Q107. Gametes must have half the chromosome number.
Q108. Internal fertilisation generally improves offspring survival.
Q109. Menstruation stops during pregnancy.
PART H — ASSERTION–REASON
Options:
A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
B) Both A and R are true, but R does not correctly explain A.
C) A is true, but R is false.
D) A is false, but R is true.
Q110. A: Asexual reproduction generally produces genetically similar offspring.
R: It generally involves one parent and no fusion of gametes.
Q111. A: Sexual reproduction produces variation.
R: It combines genetic information through gametes.
Q112. A: Meiosis helps maintain chromosome number across generations.
R: It produces gametes with half the chromosome number.
Q113. A: Cross-pollination can increase genetic variation.
R: It transfers pollen between different plants of the same type.
Q114. A: External fertilisation is often associated with many eggs.
R: Eggs and young embryos are exposed to environmental hazards.
Q115. A: Ovulation always occurs on day 14.
R: Day 14 represents ovulation in a typical 28-day cycle.
Q116. A: A human zygote has 23 chromosomes.
R: It forms by fusion of two gametes.
Q117. A: Oral contraceptive pills protect against all STIs.
R: They alter hormonal processes involved in egg release.
PART I — SEQUENCE QUESTIONS
Q118. Arrange in correct order: fertilisation, pollination, pollen tube growth, zygote formation.
Q119. Arrange in correct order: foetus, zygote, fertilisation, implantation, embryo.
Q120. Arrange in correct order: ovulation, menstruation, lining rebuilds, lining prepares for possible pregnancy.
Q121. Arrange the stages of butterfly development: adult, egg, pupa, larva.
PART J — IDENTIFY THE TERM
Q122. New plant develops from a vegetative part.
Q123. A small outgrowth develops into a new organism.
Q124. Pollen moves between two plants of the same type.
Q125. Male and female gametes fuse.
Q126. A mature egg is released from the ovary.
Q127. The uterine lining is periodically shed.
Q128. Egg and sperm are combined outside the female body under laboratory conditions.
Q129. A device is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
PART K — CASE-BASED QUESTIONS
Case 1: Vegetative Propagation
A farmer wants to produce many plants having the same desirable characteristics as a selected parent plant.
Q130. Which reproductive method would be suitable?
Q131. Name two suitable techniques.
Q132. Why are the resulting plants genetically similar?
Q133. What is one possible disadvantage of low genetic diversity?
Case 2: Pollination
A flower is brightly coloured, fragrant and produces nectar. Bees regularly visit it.
Q134. What is the likely pollinating agent?
Q135. Why are colour, fragrance and nectar useful?
Q136. What happens after successful pollination?
Q137. What does the ovule become after fertilisation?
Case 3: Fertilisation
A frog releases eggs into water and sperm are released over them. A reptile has fertilisation inside the female body.
Q138. What type of fertilisation occurs in the frog?
Q139. What type occurs in the reptile?
Q140. Why does the frog produce many eggs?
Q141. Give one advantage of internal fertilisation.
Case 4: Human Reproduction
A human sperm fuses with an egg and forms a zygote.
Q142. How many chromosomes are present in the sperm?
Q143. How many chromosomes are present in the egg?
Q144. How many chromosomes are normally present in the zygote?
Q145. Which process produces the haploid gametes?
Q146. Where does implantation occur?
PART L — APPLICATION / HOTS
Q147. A farmer wants to preserve the characteristics of a particular plant without using seeds. What method should be used and why?
Q148. A plant has light pollen and a feathery stigma. What type of pollination is it adapted for? Explain.
Q149. Why are pollination and fertilisation not the same?
Q150. State one advantage and one disadvantage of asexual reproduction.
Q151. Why does production of thousands of eggs not guarantee thousands of surviving offspring?
Q152. Why would chromosome number increase every generation if meiosis did not occur?
Q153. Does every offspring produced sexually have to be completely different from its parents? Explain.
Q154. Why does a contraceptive that prevents pregnancy not necessarily protect against STIs?
PART M — LONG ANSWER
Q155. Explain asexual reproduction and its major methods.
Q156. Explain vegetative propagation and its importance.
Q157. Explain sexual reproduction and the importance of meiosis.
Q158. Describe sexual reproduction in flowering plants.
Q159. Explain pollination, its types and the role of pollinating agents.
Q160. Explain fertilisation and seed formation in flowering plants.
Q161. Compare external and internal fertilisation with examples.
Q162. Describe the human male reproductive system and the functions of its major parts.
Q163. Describe the human female reproductive system and the functions of its major parts.
Q164. Explain the menstrual cycle.
Q165. Explain fertilisation, implantation and pregnancy in humans.
Q166. Explain the major methods of contraception discussed in the chapter.
Q167. What are STIs? Explain ways of reducing their transmission.
PART N — DATA-BASED QUESTIONS
The chapter compares wind- and insect-pollinated plants:
| Type | Pollen/flower | Seeds/flower |
|---|---|---|
| Wind-pollinated grasses | 5,00,000–10,00,000 | 50–200 |
| Insect-pollinated plants | 20,000–40,000 | 800–1,000 |
Q168. Which type produces more pollen?
Q169. Which type produces more seeds per flower in the given data?
Q170. What does the data suggest about pollen-transfer efficiency?
Q171. Why do wind-pollinated plants produce such large quantities of pollen?
Q172. What role does large-scale pollen production play in wind pollination?
PART O — COMPARISON QUESTIONS
Q173. Differentiate between asexual and sexual reproduction.
Q174. Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis in relation to reproduction.
Q175. Differentiate between self-pollination and cross-pollination.
Q176. Differentiate between pollination and fertilisation.
Q177. Differentiate between sperm and egg.
Q178. Differentiate between external and internal fertilisation.
Reproduction: How Life Continues
Complete Answer Key
PART A — MCQ ANSWERS
Q1. B) Continuity of life
Q2. C) Budding in yeast
Q3. B) Vegetative parts
Q4. B) Bryophyllum
Q5. C) Grafting
Q6. B) Genetically similar/identical
Q7. B) Meiosis
Q8. B) Genetic variation
Q9. B) Stamen
Q10. C) Anther
Q11. B) Stigma
Q12. B) Pollination
Q13. B) Cross-pollination
Q14. B) Pollination → pollen tube → fertilisation → zygote
Q15. B) Seed
Q16. B) Fruit
Q17. A) Maize
Q18. B) Insect pollination
Q19. C) Frogs and many fish
Q20. B) Greater protection to developing young
Q21. B) Testes
Q22. C) Ovaries
Q23. B) Ovulation
Q24. B) 23 chromosomes
Q25. C) Zygote
Q26. B) Uterine lining
Q27. B) Menstruation
Q28. B) Copper-T
Q29. C) Condom
Q30. B) Gonorrhoea
PART B — FILL IN THE BLANK ANSWERS
Q31. Continuity
Q32. Asexual
Q33. Asexual
Q34. Vegetative
Q35. Stamen
Q36. Pistil
Q37. Anther
Q38. Stigma
Q39. Pollination
Q40. Fertilisation
Q41. Zygote
Q42. Seed
Q43. Fruit
Q44. Meiosis
Q45. 23
Q46. Testes
Q47. Ovaries
Q48. Ovulation
Q49. Uterus
Q50. Menstruation
PART C — TRUE/FALSE ANSWERS
Q51. False
Q52. True
Q53. True
Q54. True
Q55. True
Q56. False
Q57. True
Q58. False
Q59. True
Q60. False
Q61. True
Q62. True
Q63. False
Q64. True
Q65. False
Q66. True
Q67. True
Q68. False
PART D — MATCHING ANSWERS
Q69. 1-b, 2-d, 3-c, 4-a, 5-e
Q70. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d, 5-e
PART E — VERY SHORT ANSWERS
Q71. Reproduction is the biological process by which organisms produce new individuals of their kind.
Q72. Asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction.
Q73. Yeast and hydra.
Q74. Production of new plants from vegetative parts such as stems or leaves.
Q75. Cutting and grafting.
Q76. Meiosis is cell division that reduces chromosome number by half and produces haploid gametes.
Q77. Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma.
Q78. Fusion of male and female gametes.
Q79. The cell formed after fertilisation.
Q80. Wind and insects.
Q81. Testes.
Q82. Ovaries.
Q83. Release of a mature egg from an ovary.
Q84. Periodic shedding of the uterine lining when pregnancy has not occurred.
Q85. In-vitro fertilisation, in which egg and sperm are combined outside the female body under laboratory conditions.
Q86. A sexually transmitted infection.
PART F — SHORT ANSWERS
Q87. Reproduction ensures continuity of life and passes genetic information from one generation to another.
Q88. Asexual reproduction generally involves one parent and no fusion of gametes, so offspring are genetically similar to the parent.
Q89. It can rapidly produce many plants while preserving desirable characteristics of the parent.
Q90. Meiosis produces haploid gametes, ensuring that fertilisation restores the normal chromosome number.
Q91. It combines genetic information from gametes and therefore creates new genetic combinations.
Q92. Self-pollination occurs within the same plant; cross-pollination occurs between different plants of the same type.
Q93. The anther produces pollen grains, while the stigma receives pollen.
Q94. Much wind-borne pollen may fail to reach a suitable stigma, so large quantities increase the chance of successful pollination.
Q95. Colour and fragrance attract insects, while nectar provides a food reward.
Q96. Eggs and young embryos are exposed to environmental hazards and predators, so many may not survive.
Q97. External fertilisation occurs outside the female body and is common in frogs and many fish. Internal fertilisation occurs inside the female body and generally gives greater protection to gametes and developing young.
Q98. Human gametes contain 23 chromosomes because meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half.
Q99. The uterine lining breaks down and is shed as menstruation.
Q100. Proper nutrition, healthcare, rest and support help maintain maternal health and support healthy foetal development.
Q101. Condoms help prevent pregnancy and can reduce transmission of many STIs.
PART G — GIVE-REASON ANSWERS
Q102. Asexual reproduction can be rapid because it generally involves one parent and does not require gamete fusion.
Q103. Vegetative propagation is asexual, so the resulting plants are genetically similar to the parent.
Q104. Sexual reproduction combines genetic information and therefore produces variation.
Q105. Much pollen released by wind does not reach a suitable stigma, so plants produce large quantities.
Q106. Frogs use external fertilisation, and many eggs/young are exposed to predators and environmental hazards.
Q107. Haploid gametes ensure that fertilisation restores the normal chromosome number instead of doubling it each generation.
Q108. Internal fertilisation protects gametes and the developing young more effectively.
Q109. During pregnancy, the uterine lining is maintained to support the developing pregnancy, so normal menstruation does not occur.
PART H — ASSERTION–REASON ANSWERS
Q110. A
Q111. A
Q112. A
Q113. A
Q114. A
Q115. D
Q116. D
Q117. D
PART I — SEQUENCE ANSWERS
Q118. Pollination → pollen tube growth → fertilisation → zygote formation.
Q119. Fertilisation → zygote → implantation → embryo → foetus.
Q120. Menstruation → uterine lining rebuilds → ovulation → lining prepares for possible pregnancy.
Q121. Egg → larva → pupa → adult.
PART J — IDENTIFY THE TERM ANSWERS
Q122. Vegetative propagation
Q123. Budding
Q124. Cross-pollination
Q125. Fertilisation
Q126. Ovulation
Q127. Menstruation
Q128. IVF
Q129. IUD
PART K — CASE-BASED ANSWERS
Case 1
Q130. Vegetative propagation.
Q131. Cutting and grafting. Layering and tissue culture are also suitable methods discussed in the chapter.
Q132. It is asexual reproduction and does not involve fusion of gametes.
Q133. Low genetic diversity may make many plants vulnerable to the same disease or environmental change.
Case 2
Q134. Insects, such as bees.
Q135. They attract pollinators.
Q136. Pollen germinates, a pollen tube develops and fertilisation can occur.
Q137. A seed.
Case 3
Q138. External fertilisation.
Q139. Internal fertilisation.
Q140. Many eggs and young embryos may be lost because they are exposed to environmental hazards and predators.
Q141. It gives greater protection to gametes and developing young.
Case 4
Q142. 23 chromosomes.
Q143. 23 chromosomes.
Q144. 46 chromosomes.
Q145. Meiosis.
Q146. Uterine lining.
PART L — APPLICATION / HOTS ANSWERS
Q147. Vegetative propagation should be used because it produces genetically similar plants and preserves desirable characteristics.
Q148. It is adapted for wind pollination. Light pollen can be carried by air, while a feathery stigma provides a larger surface for trapping pollen.
Q149. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from anther to stigma; fertilisation is the fusion of male and female gametes.
Q150. Advantage: rapid production of genetically similar offspring. Disadvantage: low genetic variation can reduce adaptability to environmental changes.
Q151. Many eggs and young individuals may be lost because of predators and environmental conditions.
Q152. Without reduction by meiosis, gametes would retain the full chromosome number and fertilisation would cause chromosome number to double in each generation.
Q153. No. Sexual reproduction creates new combinations of genetic information, but offspring still inherit genetic material from their parents.
Q154. Different contraceptive methods work differently. Methods such as condoms can reduce STI transmission, while methods such as pills and IUDs do not act as STI barriers.
PART M — LONG ANSWERS
Q155. Asexual reproduction generally involves one parent and no fusion of gametes. The offspring are usually genetically similar to the parent. Major methods include vegetative propagation, budding and spore formation.
Q156. Vegetative propagation produces new plants from vegetative parts such as stems or leaves. It may occur naturally or through cutting, grafting, layering and tissue culture. It is useful for rapid multiplication and preservation of desirable plant characteristics.
Q157. Sexual reproduction involves genetic contributions through gametes. Meiosis produces haploid gametes so that fertilisation restores the normal chromosome number. Sexual reproduction also generates genetic variation.
Q158. In flowering plants, the stamen produces pollen while the pistil contains the ovary and ovules. Pollination transfers pollen to the stigma. A pollen tube grows towards an ovule, allowing the male gamete to reach the egg. Fertilisation forms a zygote, which develops into an embryo. The ovule becomes a seed and the ovary generally becomes a fruit.
Q159. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from anther to stigma. It may be self-pollination or cross-pollination. Wind and insects are important pollinating agents. Wind-pollinated plants often produce large quantities of light pollen, while insect-pollinated flowers commonly attract insects through colour, fragrance and nectar.
Q160. After pollen reaches the stigma, it germinates and forms a pollen tube. The male gamete reaches the egg and fertilisation occurs. A zygote forms and develops into an embryo. The ovule develops into a seed and the ovary generally develops into a fruit.
Q161. External fertilisation occurs outside the female body and is common in frogs and many fish. It usually involves many eggs because exposed eggs and young embryos face greater risks. Internal fertilisation occurs inside the female body and generally provides greater protection to gametes and developing young.
Q162. The testes produce sperm and reproductive hormones. The scrotum helps maintain a suitable temperature for sperm production. The vas deferens transports sperm. Seminal vesicles and the prostate add fluids to sperm. The urethra provides a passage for sperm and urine.
Q163. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones. The oviducts provide the route for eggs from the ovaries towards the uterus. The uterus supports development of the embryo/foetus. The cervix connects the uterus with the vagina.
Q164. During menstruation, the uterine lining is shed. The lining then rebuilds while an egg matures. In a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs around day 14. After ovulation, the lining becomes prepared for possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining breaks down and menstruation begins again.
Q165. Fertilisation occurs when sperm and egg fuse to form a zygote. The zygote divides repeatedly and develops into an embryo. It reaches the uterus and implants in the uterine lining. The developing organism later becomes a foetus and continues growing until birth.
Q166. Contraceptive methods prevent unwanted pregnancy through different mechanisms. Barrier methods such as condoms prevent sperm from reaching the egg and can also reduce STI transmission. Other methods include oral contraceptive pills, IUDs such as Copper-T and surgical methods.
Q167. STIs are infections transmitted through sexual contact. The chapter includes infections such as gonorrhoea and syphilis. Responsible sexual-health choices, appropriate protection such as condoms, testing and medical care can help reduce transmission.
PART N — DATA-BASED ANSWERS
Q168. Wind-pollinated grasses.
Q169. Insect-pollinated plants.
Q170. The data suggest that insect pollination can transfer pollen more efficiently, since fewer pollen grains are associated with more seeds per flower in the given comparison.
Q171. Large quantities compensate for the fact that much wind-borne pollen does not reach a suitable stigma.
Q172. It increases the probability that some pollen will reach a suitable stigma and achieve successful pollination.
PART O — COMPARISON ANSWERS
Q173. Asexual vs Sexual Reproduction
Asexual reproduction generally involves one parent, no gamete fusion and little genetic variation. Sexual reproduction involves gametes and produces greater genetic variation.
Q174. Mitosis vs Meiosis
Mitosis generally maintains chromosome number, whereas meiosis reduces chromosome number by half for gamete formation.
Q175. Self- vs Cross-Pollination
Self-pollination occurs within the same plant; cross-pollination occurs between different plants of the same type.
Q176. Pollination vs Fertilisation
Pollination is transfer of pollen from anther to stigma; fertilisation is fusion of male and female gametes.
Q177. Sperm vs Egg
Sperm are generally small and motile; eggs are larger, non-motile and contain stored nutrients.
Q178. External vs Internal Fertilisation
External fertilisation occurs outside the female body and is common in many aquatic animals. Internal fertilisation occurs inside the female body and generally provides greater protection to gametes and developing young.