Chapter 9 of the NCERT Science textbook for Class 8 focuses on “Reproduction in Animals.” It explains the biological process through which animals produce offspring, ensuring the continuation of their species. The chapter discusses two main types of reproduction: sexual and asexual.
In sexual reproduction, two parent organisms contribute genetic material, resulting in offspring that are genetically diverse. This process typically involves the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells) through meiosis. The chapter elaborates on the reproductive systems in various animals, highlighting differences between internal and external fertilization.
On the other hand, asexual reproduction involves a single organism reproducing without the fusion of gametes, leading to offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. Various methods of asexual reproduction, such as budding, fragmentation, and binary fission, are also described.
The chapter emphasizes the significance of reproduction in maintaining population dynamics and ensuring genetic diversity within species. It concludes with discussions on reproductive adaptations and the importance of understanding these processes in the context of conservation and biodiversity.
1. Explain the importance of reproduction in organisms.
Ans: Importance of reproduction in organisms is as follows
2. Describe the process of fertilisation in human beings.
Ans:
3. Choose the most appropriate answer.
(a) Internal fertilisation occurs
(i) in female body.
(ii) outside female body.
(iii) in male body.
(iv) outside male body.
(b) A tadpole develops into an adult frog by the process of
(i) fertilisation
(ii) metamorphosis
(iii) embedding
(iv) budding
(c) The number of nuclei present in a zygote is
(i) none
(ii) one
(iii) two
(iv) four
Ans:
a) (i) in female body.
b) (ii) metamorphosis
c) (iii) two
4. Indicate whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).
(a) Oviparous animals give birth to young ones. ()
(b) Each sperm is a single cell. ()
(c) External fertilisation takes place in frog. ( )
(d) A new human individual develops from a cell called gamete. ( )
(e) Egg laid after fertilisation is made up of a single cell. ( )
(f) Amoeba reproduces by budding. ( )
(g) Fertilisation is necessary even in asexual reproduction. ()
(h) Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction. ( )
(i) A zygote is formed as a result of fertilisation. ( )
(j) An embryo is made up of a single cell. ( )
Ans:
(a) Oviparous animals give birth to young ones. (f )
(b) Each sperm is a single cell. (t )
(c) External fertilisation takes place in frog. (t )
(d) A new human individual develops from a cell called gamete. (f )
(e) Egg laid after fertilisation is made up of a single cell. ( t)
(f) Amoeba reproduces by budding. ( f)
(g) Fertilisation is necessary even in asexual reproduction. (f )
(h) Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction. (t )
(i) A zygote is formed as a result of fertilisation. (t )
(j) An embryo is made up of a single cell. (f )
5. Give two differences between a zygote and a foetus.
Ans: Zygote:
Foetus
6. Define asexual reproduction. Describe two methods of asexual reproduction in animals.
Ans:
In this type of reproduction, the offspring arises from a single organism without the fusion of male and female gametes. It never changes the number of chromosomes.
Binary fission in amoeba
Budding in hydra
7. In which female reproductive organ does the embryo get embedded?
Ans:
8. What is metamorphosis? Give examples.
Ans::
The life cycle of a frog:
The tadpole emerging from the egg will have gills, tail, etc.
They can swim easily in water.
It undergoes abrupt changes and develops into a mature frog.
9.Differentiate between internal fertilisation and external fertilisation.
Ans: Fertilization, in general, is defined as the fusion of a male and a female gamete.
Internal fertilization
It occurs inside the female body.
There are high chances of survival of the offspring.
Internal fertilization protects the fertilized egg or embryo from harsh environments.
Examples are cow, humans, dogs, monkeys, etc.
External fertilization
It occurs outside the female body.
There are low chances of survival of the offspring.
Most aquatic animals use this type of fertilization and the advantage of external fertilization is that it produces a large number of offspring due to external hazards.
Examples are fish, frog, organisms etc.