**NEET Previous Year Questions (2016-20): Reproduction in Organisms**

**1. Explain the process of reproduction in organisms.**

Reproduction is the biological process by which new individuals of the same species are produced, ensuring the continuation of the species. It is an essential characteristic of living organisms, allowing them to pass on their genetic information to the next generation. There are two main types of reproduction: asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction.

**Asexual Reproduction:**
Asexual reproduction involves the production of offspring from a single parent without the involvement of gametes (reproductive cells). It occurs in various ways:

1. Binary Fission: In this process, the parent organism divides into two equal-sized daughter cells. This form of reproduction is commonly seen in bacteria and single-celled organisms.

2. Budding: In budding, a small outgrowth called a bud develops on the parent organism, which eventually detaches to form a new individual. This method is observed in yeast and hydra.

3. Fragmentation: Some organisms can regenerate from fragments of their body. Each fragment has the potential to develop into a complete organism. Examples include flatworms and starfish.

4. Spore Formation: Organisms like fungi and certain plants produce spores that can develop into new individuals under favorable conditions.

**Sexual Reproduction:**
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes, which are specialized cells involved in reproduction. It occurs in the following steps:

1. Gametogenesis: The production of gametes through meiosis occurs in the gonads. In males, meiosis produces sperm cells, while in females, it produces egg cells.

2. Fertilization: The fusion of a sperm cell with an egg cell results in the formation of a zygote. Fertilization can be internal (in animals) or external (in plants and some animals).

3. Embryonic Development: The zygote undergoes cell division and develops into an embryo. This process involves various stages, such as cleavage, gastrulation, and organogenesis.

4. Birth or Germination: Finally, the embryo develops into a mature individual, which is either born (in animals) or undergoes germination (in plants).

Reproduction is a vital process for the survival and diversity of species. It ensures the transfer of genetic material, allowing for variations and adaptations within a population.