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NCERT Class 10 Science How do Organisms Reproduce?: In-text questions (page 119) Solutions

Step-by-step working for every question of In-text questions (page 119) in NCERT's Class 10 Science book, chapter “How do Organisms Reproduce?”, written by Shishya. Each question is in our own short words; open the NCERT chapter for the exact wording and figures.

1. In-text (page 119) Q1

   How does binary fission differ from multiple fission?

   1. Binary fission is a type of asexual reproduction where a single parent cell divides into exactly two daughter cells.
   2. In binary fission, the division happens in one step, resulting in two offspring of roughly equal size.
   3. Multiple fission is another form of asexual reproduction where a single parent cell divides into many daughter cells at once.
   4. In multiple fission, the division occurs in several steps or simultaneously, producing a large number of offspring.
   5. The key difference is the number of daughter cells produced: binary fission yields two, while multiple fission yields many.

   Answer: Binary fission produces two daughter cells from one parent, whereas multiple fission produces many daughter cells from one parent.

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2. In-text (page 119) Q2

   How does an organism benefit from reproducing through spores?

   1. Spores are single-celled reproductive units that are very small and lightweight.
   2. Because of their small size, spores can be easily carried by wind, water, or animals to distant locations.
   3. This wide dispersal helps the organism colonize new areas and reduces competition for resources among offspring.
   4. Spores have a tough outer wall that allows them to survive in harsh conditions like extreme heat or cold.
   5. This survival ability ensures that the organism can reproduce even when environmental conditions are unfavorable.
   6. Thus, spore reproduction aids in survival, dispersal, and the continuation of the species in various habitats.

   Answer: Organisms benefit from spore reproduction through efficient dispersal over long distances and the ability to survive in unfavorable environmental conditions.

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3. In-text (page 119) Q3

   Why can more complex organisms not give rise to new individuals through regeneration?

   1. Complex organisms have a highly organized body structure with specialized tissues and organs.
   2. These organisms rely on multicellular coordination to maintain life functions.
   3. Regeneration requires the undifferentiated cells to rebuild the entire complex body plan.
   4. In complex organisms, most cells are already differentiated and lose the ability to divide and form new tissues.
   5. Therefore, they cannot regenerate the whole body from a fragment or part.
   6. Instead, they use sexual reproduction to produce new individuals with genetic variation.

   Answer: Complex organisms cannot regenerate new individuals because their cells are highly differentiated and lack the capacity to rebuild the entire organized body structure from a fragment.

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4. In-text (page 119) Q4

   Why is vegetative propagation used for growing some plants?

   1. Vegetative propagation is a method of asexual reproduction where new plants grow from parts of the parent plant like roots, stems, or leaves.
   2. This method is used because it allows the new plant to grow much faster than if it were grown from seeds.
   3. It is also preferred when the parent plant does not produce viable seeds or when the seeds have a very low germination rate.
   4. Since the new plant is a clone, it retains all the desirable characteristics of the parent plant, such as high yield or disease resistance.
   5. Farmers use this technique to produce large numbers of identical plants quickly for commercial purposes.

   Answer: Vegetative propagation is used to grow plants faster, when seeds are not viable, and to ensure the new plants retain the desirable traits of the parent.

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5. In-text (page 119) Q5

   Why is DNA copying an essential part of reproduction?

   1. Reproduction involves the formation of new individuals from existing ones.
   2. DNA is the genetic material that carries the instructions for the development and functioning of an organism.
   3. During reproduction, DNA is copied to ensure that the genetic information is passed from the parent to the offspring.
   4. This copying process ensures that the offspring inherit the same genetic traits and characteristics as the parents.
   5. Without DNA copying, the transmission of hereditary information would not be possible, and reproduction would not lead to the formation of viable offspring.
   6. Thus, DNA copying is essential for the continuity of life and the inheritance of traits.

   Answer: DNA copying is essential for reproduction because it ensures the transmission of genetic information from parents to offspring, maintaining the continuity of life and inheritance of traits.

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