Introduction
Reproduction refers to the process of creating new individuals from their parents. Plant reproduction refers to the process by which plants generate new individuals, or offspring. All living organisms have the ability to continue or maintain their races through the mechanism of reproduction. Let’s look at the various modes of reproduction in plants and how they differ from animal reproduction.
Definition
A plant’s mode of reproduction determines its genetic constitution and aids in understanding its characteristics. When we look at a plant, we can see that it is made up of various parts. Plant parts are divided into two categories: vegetative parts (leaves, roots, and stem) and reproductive parts (flowers).
The flower can have either male or female parts, or both male and female parts. Flowers are responsible for plant reproduction. When the male and female parts come into contact, the gametes fuse to form fruits that bear seeds. The seeds within the fruits germinate and grow into new plants. However, the vegetative parts of plants can also give rise to new plants.
Plants produce their offspring in a variety of ways. These are divided into two types: (i) asexual; (ii) sexual
Asexual reproduction allows plants to produce new plants without the use of seeds, whereas sexual reproduction requires the use of seeds to produce new plants.
Asexual reproduction in plants
1. Vegetative propagation
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The majority of plants are the roots, the stems, and the leaves. These are referred to as a plant’s vegetative parts.
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Asexual reproduction in which new plants are produced from roots, stems, leaves, and buds is known as vegetative propagation. Vegetative propagation refers to reproduction that occurs through the vegetative parts of the plant.
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Bryophyllum (sprout leaf plant) has buds on the leaf margins. Each bud of this plant can give rise to a new plant if a leaf of this plant falls on moist soil.
2. Bryophyllum (Sprout leaf plant)
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The plants’ roots can also give rise to the new plants. Examples include sweet potato and dahlia.
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Cacti, for example, produce new plants when their parts separate from the main plant body. Each detached part has the potential to grow into a new plant.
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Plants grown through vegetative propagation grow faster and bear flowers and fruits earlier than plants grown from seeds.
3. Budding
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Yeast is an organism with a single cell. The bud is are the small bulb-like projection that emerges from the yeast cell.
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The bud grows and separates from the parent cell, forming a new yeast cell.
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The new yeast cell develops, matures, and multiplies. If this process is repeated, a large number of yeast cells are produced in a short period of time.
4. Fragmentation
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When water and nutrients are available, algae fragment and grow rapidly.
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An alga fragments into two or more pieces. These fragments or pieces develop into new people. This process is repeated, and they cover a large area in a short amount of time.
5. Spore formation
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Fungi on bread grow from spores that are present in the air. When spores are released, they continue to float in the air.
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Spores are asexual reproductive organs. They are so light, they can travel long distances.
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To withstand unfavourable conditions such as high temperature and low humidity, each spore is covered by a hard protective coat. As a result, they can live for a long time.
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A spore germinates and develops into a new individual under favourable conditions.
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Plants such as moss and ferns reproduce through spores as well.
Sexual reproduction in plants
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Pollination
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Fertilisation
1. Pollination
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Pollination occurs when pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma of a flower via carriers such as insects. Self-pollination occurs when pollen lands on the stigma of the same flower or another flower of the same plant. Cross-pollination occurs when pollen grains land on the stigma of a flower from a different plant but of the same species.
2. Fertilisation
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A zygote is formed by the fusion of gametes, which later develops into an embryo. Fruits and seeds develop after fertilisation. The ripened ovary develops into a fruit. Ovules produce seeds that encase the embryo in a protective covering.
What is the mode of reproduction applied in moss plants?
Mosses are bryophytes that can reproduce sexually as well as asexually. Mosses have the ability to be monoecious or dioecious.
To reproduce sexually, they rely on moisture. MOsses reproduce through spores, which are similar to flowering plants. Moss spores are single-celled organisms. The brown capsule that sits on the setae contains the spores.
As the spores mature, they are released from the capsules. Water is a critical factor in their fertilisation. When the sperm mature, they must swim to the eggs to fertilise them. The brown capsule is then produced by the fertilised egg.
Conclusion
Reproduction refers to the process of creating new individuals from their parents. The flower can have either male or female parts, or both male and female parts. The seeds within the fruits germinate and grow into new plants. However, the vegetative parts of plants can also give rise to new plants. These are divided into two types: asexual; sexual. Asexual reproduction allows plants to produce new plants without the use of seeds, whereas sexual reproduction requires the use of seeds to produce new plants. Vegetative propagation refers to reproduction that occurs through the vegetative parts of the plant.