OpenRevise

Exam questions · Biology · Reproduction and Meiosis

Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

  • 6 exam questions
  • 19 marks
  • 9 quick checks
  1. 1 State [1 mark]

    State the name of the male gamete in a flowering plant.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    Pollen.

    Mark scheme

    • Pollen (cell) — 1 mark
  2. 2 Describe [2 marks]

    Describe what is meant by asexual reproduction.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    Asexual reproduction involves only one parent, and there is no fusion of gametes. The offspring are genetically identical to the parent.

    Mark scheme

    • One parent, no gametes — 1 mark
    • Offspring are identical — 1 mark
  3. 3 Explain [3 marks]

    Explain why the offspring from sexual reproduction show variety.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    In sexual reproduction, a male gamete fuses with a female gamete. The gametes are made by meiosis, so they are genetically different. The genetic information from the two parents is mixed, so the offspring are different from the parents and from each other.

    Mark scheme

    • Gametes from two parents fuse — 1 mark
    • Genetic information is mixed — 1 mark
    • Offspring are different from each other — 1 mark
  4. 4 Compare [3 marks]

    Compare mitosis and meiosis.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    Mitosis forms two genetically identical cells, but meiosis forms four genetically different cells. Mitosis is used in growth and in asexual reproduction, while meiosis forms gametes in the reproductive organs. In mitosis the cells have the full number of chromosomes, but in meiosis they have half the number.

    Mark scheme

    • Identical and non-identical cells — 1 mark
    • Two cells and four cells, or growth and gametes — 1 mark
    • Full and half the number of chromosomes — 1 mark
  5. 5 Explain [4 marks]

    Strawberry plants can reproduce by growing new plants on runners, and by producing seeds. Explain the differences between the offspring from the two methods.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    The plants that grow from runners are produced by asexual reproduction, with only one parent and only mitosis. They are genetically identical to the parent, so they are clones. The seeds are made by sexual reproduction, when the gametes of two plants fuse. The plants from seeds have a mixture of the genes of the two parents, so they are genetically different from the parent and from each other.

    Mark scheme

    • Runners are asexual, with one parent — 1 mark
    • Offspring are identical clones — 1 mark
    • Seeds are sexual, with fusion of gametes — 1 mark
    • Offspring are different, genetic information mixed — 1 mark
  6. 6 Evaluate [6 marks]

    A farmer grows a crop of identical plants that were produced by asexual reproduction. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    All of the plants are clones, with the same genes, so every plant will have the same characteristics, such as yield and fruit size, which makes the crop uniform and predictable for the farmer. Only one parent is needed, and many identical plants can be produced quickly. However, there is no variation in the crop. If a new disease arrives, or the environment changes, then all of the plants are equally likely to be affected, because they have the same genes, so the whole crop could be lost. A crop produced by sexual reproduction would have variation, so some plants may survive, but the plants would not all be the same.

    Mark scheme

    • Clones are identical, so a uniform crop — 1 mark
    • Only one parent, fast production — 1 mark
    • No variation — 1 mark
    • All affected by the same disease — 1 mark
    • Whole crop could be lost — 1 mark
    • Sexual reproduction would give variation — 1 mark

Quick check

  1. 1

    Which of these is the male gamete in animals?

    1. AThe egg cell
    2. BThe pollen cell
    3. CThe sperm cell
    4. DThe skin cell
    Show answerHide answer

    C: The sperm cell

    The sperm cell.

  2. 2

    How many parents are involved in asexual reproduction?

    1. AOne
    2. BTwo
    3. CThree
    4. DNone
    Show answerHide answer

    A: One

    One.

  3. 3

    Which type of cell division makes gametes?

    1. AMitosis
    2. BFertilisation
    3. CDigestion
    4. DMeiosis
    Show answerHide answer

    D: Meiosis

    Meiosis.

  4. 4

    What are genetically identical offspring called?

    1. AGametes
    2. BClones
    3. CAlleles
    4. DMutants
    Show answerHide answer

    B: Clones

    Clones.

  5. 5

    Why does sexual reproduction lead to variety?

    1. AOnly one parent is involved
    2. BCells divide by mitosis
    3. CGenetic information from two parents is mixed
    4. DGametes are identical
    Show answerHide answer

    C: Genetic information from two parents is mixed

    Genetic information from two parents is mixed.

  6. 6

    Which type of cell division is involved in asexual reproduction?

    1. AMitosis only
    2. BMeiosis only
    3. CBoth mitosis and meiosis
    4. DNeither
    Show answerHide answer

    A: Mitosis only

    Mitosis only.

  7. 7

    How many cells does meiosis form from one cell?

    1. AOne
    2. BTwo
    3. CThree
    4. DFour
    Show answerHide answer

    D: Four

    Four.

  8. 8

    What are the male gametes of a flowering plant?

    1. AEgg cells
    2. BPollen cells
    3. CSeeds
    4. DSpores
    Show answerHide answer

    B: Pollen cells

    Pollen cells.

  9. 9

    Which statement about mitosis is correct?

    1. AIt forms gametes
    2. BIt forms four different cells
    3. CIt forms genetically identical cells
    4. DIt only happens in the ovary
    Show answerHide answer

    C: It forms genetically identical cells

    It forms genetically identical cells.