Test: Reproduction & Its Kinds - UPSC MCQ

Asexual reproduction occurs when an organism makes more of itself without exchanging genetic information with another organism through sex.In sexually reproducing organisms, the genomes of two parents are combined to create offspring with unique genetic profiles. This is beneficial to the population because genetically diverse populations have a higher chance of withstanding survival challenges such as disease and environmental changes. 
Asexually reproducing organisms can suffer a dangerous lack of diversity – but they can also reproduce faster than sexually reproducing organisms, and a single individual can found a new population without the need for a mate.

Human variability refers to the fact that there is a range of possible values for each of the numerous physical and mental characteristics of human beings. Fundamental Characteristic. Variation is, in fact, inherent in every living species.

Asexual reproduction involves a single parent. It results in offspring that are genetically identical to each other and to the parent. All prokaryotes and some eukaryotes reproduce this way.  Binary fission occurs when a parent cell splits into two identical daughter cells of the same size.

The main source of variation in offspring is sexual reproduction.

Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes from two parents, resulting in offspring that inherit a unique combination of genetic material from both parents. This process introduces variation in several ways:

• Independent assortment of chromosomes: During meiosis, the homologous pairs of chromosomes align randomly and separate into different gametes. This leads to different combinations of genes being passed on to the offspring.



• Crossing over: Crossing over occurs during meiosis when homologous chromosomes exchange segments of genetic material. This further increases genetic diversity by shuffling genes between chromosomes.



• Random fertilization: The chance of a specific sperm fertilizing a specific egg is random, leading to a nearly infinite number of possible combinations of genetic material in offspring.



• Mutations: Mutations, which are changes in the DNA sequence, can occur spontaneously or as a result of environmental factors. These mutations can introduce new genetic variations in the offspring.

While asexual reproduction, cloning, and parthenogenesis can also produce offspring, they do not involve the combination of genetic material from two parents and therefore do not introduce as much variation as sexual reproduction.

The correct option is C.
In asexual reproduction an exact genetic copy of the parent organism is produced (a clone ). Unlike sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction only introduces genetic variation into the population if a random mutation in the organism's DNA is passed on to the offspring.

Sexual Reproduction
- Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes from two parents to produce offspring with a combination of genetic traits.
- This process ensures genetic diversity and variation within a population.
- It requires the involvement of specialized reproductive organs and mechanisms, such as fertilization and meiosis.
- In sexual reproduction, the offspring inherit traits from both parents, resulting in a unique combination of genetic material.
- The genetic variation introduced through sexual reproduction can enhance the adaptability and survival of a species in changing environments.
- Examples of sexual reproduction include the union of sperm and egg cells in animals, pollination in plants, and mating in fungi.
- It is a common method of reproduction in most multicellular organisms, including humans.
- In contrast, asexual reproduction involves the production of offspring from a single parent without the involvement of gametes or fertilization.
- Asexual reproduction leads to genetically identical offspring, limiting genetic diversity and adaptability.
Therefore, the correct answer is B: Sexual reproduction.

Often their most distinguishing feature is their reproductive organs, commonly called flowers. Sexual reproduction in flowering plants involves the production of male and female gametes, the transfer of the male gametes to the female ovules in a process called pollination.

The main significance of reproduction is to maintain continuity of species. It also helps in studying evolution as sexual reproduction results in variation among the species.

Organisms look similar because their body designs are similar. If body designs are to be similar , the blueprints for these designs should be similar.

When gametes of two parents fuse together it results in variations. Variation is due to change in the structure of DNA.