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The NCERT Exemplar Solutions Class 12 Biology Chapter 1 Reproduction in Organisms is designed to make students learn the fundamentals of how organisms reproduce, both sexually and asexually. The chapter explains asexual reproduction, where one parent produces identical offspring, and sexual reproduction, where two parents produce offspring with genetic differences. The NCERT Exemplar Solutions help students understand the concepts clearly by providing well-explained answers to different types of questions, which makes the exam preparation easier and more effective.
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The NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Solutions allow students to build a strong base in concepts through well-detailed and clear explanations. The chapter Reproduction in organisms also explains various modes of asexual reproduction, such as binary fission, budding, fragmentation, and parthenogenesis, and explains how sexual reproduction involves processes such as gamete formation, fertilisation, and post-fertilisation processes. With the regular practice of the NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Biology Solutions, students can improve their question-solving speed, accuracy, gain confidence, and perform better in their board and competitive exams such as NEET.
The solutions below include a variety of question such as multiple-choice questions, short answer types, and long answer types. These different forms of questions help students understand the chapter concepts more clearly and strengthen their preparation for both board and competitive exams.
Question:1
A few statements describing certain features of reproduction are given below:
i. Gametic fusion takes place
ii. Transfer of genetic material takes place
iii. Reduction division takes place
iv. Progeny has some resemblance to parents
Select the options that are true for both asexual and sexual reproduction from the options given below:
(a) i and ii; (b ) ii and iii; (c) ii and iv; (d) i and iii.
Answer:
The answer is the option (c) (ii) and (iv)Question:2
The term 'clone' cannot be applied to offspring formed by sexual reproduction because:
a. Offspring do not possess exact copies of parental DNA
b. DNA of only one parent is copied and passed on to the offspring
c. Offspring are formed at different times
d. DNA of parent and offspring are completely different.
Answer:
The answer is the option a) Offspring do not possess exact copies of parental DNAQuestion:3
The asexual method of reproduction by binary fission is common to which of the following?
i. Some eukaryotes
ii. All eukaryotes
iii. Some prokaryotes
iv. All prokaryotes
Choose the correct option from the following:
(a) i and ii; (b) ii and iii; (c) i and iii; (d) iii and iv.
Answer:
The answer is the option (c) (i) and (iii)Question:4
A few statements with regard to sexual reproduction are given below:
i. Sexual reproduction does not always require two individuals
ii. Sexual reproduction generally involves gametic fusion
iii. Meiosis never occurs during sexual reproduction
iv. External fertilisation is a rule during sexual reproduction
Choose the correct statements from the options below:
(a) i and iv (b) i and ii (c) ii and iii (d)
Answer:
The answer is the option (b), (i) and (ii)
Explanation: Sexual reproduction does not always require two individuals as both sexes are present in the same individual. In some of these cases, both the gametes from the same individual are involved.Question:5
A multicellular, filamentous alga exhibits a type of sexual life cycle in which the meiotic division occurs after the formation of a zygote. The adult filament of this alga has
a. haploid vegetative cells and diploid gametangia
b. diploid vegetative cells and diploid gametangia
c. diploid vegetative cells and haploid gametangia
d. haploid vegetative cells and haploid gametangia
Answer:
The answer is the option (d)Question:6
The male gametes of rice plants have 12 chromosomes in their nucleus.The chromosome number in the female gamete, zygote and the cells of the seedling will be, respectively,
a. 12, 24, 12
b. 24, 12, 12
c. 12, 24, 24
d. 24, 12, 24.
Answer:
The answer is the option (c) 12, 24, 24Question:7
Given below are a few statements related to external fertilisation. Choose the correct statements.
i. The male and female gametes are formed and released simultaneously
ii. Only a few gametes are released into the medium
iii. Water is the medium in a majority of organisms exhibiting external fertilisation
iv. Offspring formed as a result of external fertilisation have a better chance of survival than those formed inside an organism
(a) iii and iv (b) i and iii (c) ii and iv (d) i and iv
Answer:
The answer is the option (b), (i) and (iii)Question:8
The statements given below describe certain features that are observed in the pistil of flowers.
i. A pistil may produce more than one seed
ii. Each carpel may have more than one ovule
iii. Each carpel has only one ovule
iv. The pistil has only one carpel
Choose the statements that are true from the options below:
(a) i and ii (b) i and iii (c) ii and iv (d) iii and iv
Answer:
The answer is the option (a), (i), and (ii)Explanation: A pistil can produce multiple seeds because it may have multiple ovules, and each carpel may contain more than one ovule.
Question:9
Which of the following situations correctly describes the similarity between an angiosperm egg and a human egg?
i. Eggs of both are formed only once in a lifetime
ii. Both the angiosperm egg and human egg are stationary
iii. Both the angiosperm egg and human egg are mobile
iv. Syngamy in both results in the formation of zygote
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(a) ii and iv (b) iv only (c) iii and iv (d) i and ii
Answer:
The answer is the option (b) iv only.Question:10
The appearance of vegetative propagules from the nodes of plants such as sugarcane and ginger are mainly because:
a. Nodes are shorter than internodes
b. Nodes have meristematic cells
c. Nodes are located near the soil
d. Nodes have non-photosynthetic cells
Answer:
The answer is option (b) Nodes have meristematic cellsQuestion:11
Which of the following statements, supports the view that an elaborate sexual reproductive process appeared much later in the organic evolution?
i. Lower groups of organisms have a simpler body design
ii. Asexual reproduction is common in lower groups
iii. Asexual reproduction is common in higher groups of organisms
iv. The high incidence of sexual reproduction in angiosperms and vertebrates
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(a) i, ii and iii; (b) i, iii and iv (c) i, iii and iv (d) ii, iii and iv
Answer:
The answer is the option (c) (i), (ii) and (iv)Question:12
Offspring formed by sexual reproduction exhibit more variation than those formed by Asexual reproduction because:
a. Sexual reproduction is a lengthy process
b. Gametes of parents have qualitatively different genetic compositions
c. Genetic material comes from parents of two different species
d. The greater amount of DNA is involved in sexual reproduction.
Answer:
The answer is option (b) gametes of parents have a qualitatively different genetic compositionQuestion:13
Choose the correct statement from among the following:
a. Dioecious (hermaphrodite) organisms are seen only in animals
b. Dioecious organisms are seen only in plants
c. Dioecious organisms are seen in both plants and animals
d. Dioecious organisms are seen only invertebrates
Answer:
The answer is option (c) Dioecious organisms are seen in both plants and animalsQuestion:14
There is no natural death in single-celled organisms like Amoeba and bacteria because:
a. They cannot reproduce sexually
b. They reproduce by binary fission
c. The parental body is distributed among the offspring
d. They are microscopic
Answer:
The answer is the option (c) Parental body is distributed among the offspringQuestion:15
There are various types of reproduction. The type of reproduction adopted by an organism depends on:
a. The habitat and morphology of the organism
b. Morphology of the organism
c. Morphology and physiology of the organism
d. The organism’s habitat, physiology and genetic makeup
Answer:
The answer is option (d) The organism’s habitat, physiology and genetic makeupQuestion:16
Identify the incorrect statement.
a. In asexual reproduction, the offspring produced are morphologically and genetically identical to the parent b. Zoospores are sexual reproductive structures
c. In asexual reproduction, a single parent produces offspring with or without the formation of gametes
d. Conidia are asexual structures in Penicillium
Answer:
The answer is option (b) Zoospores are sexual reproductive structuresQuestion:17
Which of the following is a post-fertilisation event in flowering plants?
a. Transfer of pollen grains
b. Embryo development
c. Formation of flower
d. Formation of pollen grains
Answer:
The answer is the option (b) Embryo developmentQuestion:18
The number of chromosomes in the shoot-tip cells of a maize plant is 20. The number of chromosomes in the microspore mother cells of the same plant shall be:
a. 20
b. 10
c. 40
d. 15
Answer:
The answer is the option (a) 20Question:1
Mention two inherent characteristics of Amoeba and yeast that enable them to reproduce asexually.
Answer:
Amoeba and yeast can reproduce asexually due to the following reasons:Take Aakash iACST and get instant scholarship on coaching programs.
Question:2
Why do we refer to offspring formed by the asexual method of reproduction as clones?
Answer:
Asexual reproduction requires only a single parent and involves only the process of mitosis, which ensures that variation is not possible in offspring, and they are clones of their parents.Question:3
Although the potato tuber is an underground part, it is considered as a stem. Give two reasons.
Answer:
Potato Tuber is considered a stem due to the presence of the following features:Question:4
Between an annual and a perennial plant, which one has a shorter juvenile phase? Give one reason.
Answer:
Annual plants have shorter juvenile phase compared to perennial plants. The number of flowering seasons in a year determines the length of the juvenile phase. While some perennial plants may produce flowers only once a year (some produce flowers once in 50 or even 100 years), annual plants have much shorter life cycles and thus, shorter juvenile phases.Question:5
Answer:
Gametogenesis→ Pollination→ Fertilization→ EmbryogenesisQuestion:6
Answer:
Dioecious plants depend on agents of pollination to carry out sexual reproduction. The availability of agents is impacted significantly by external factors. Ex – Usage of high levels of pesticides has reduced the population of pollinating insects. Hence, the probability of fruit set in self-pollinated bisexual flowers is far greater than a dioecious plant.Question:7
Answer:
The number of chromosomes is not a deciding factor for the mode of reproduction.Question:8
Answer:
There is no relationship between the size of an organism and its life span. Ex – Though, mango and peepul trees have similar sizes; the mango tree has a much shorter life span.Question:9
Answer:
Chasmogamous flowers are shown in ‘A’ as they have exposed anther and stigma. Cross-pollination will be their mode of pollination.Question:10
Give reasons as to why cell division cannot be a type of reproduction in multicellular organisms.
Answer:
As multicellular organisms have a complex organisation; it isn’t possible for a single cell to produce all different types of tissues simply by undergoing mitosis.Question:12
Why do gametes produced in large numbers in organisms exhibit external fertilisation?
Answer:
In external fertilisation, gametes are affected by their surroundings; they can get blown off by the wind, washed away by water, eaten by predators etc. and most of the gametes perish before fertilisation. A higher number of gametes increases the probability of fertilisation.Question:13
Which of the following are monoecious and dioecious organisms?
a. Earthworm ______________
b. Chara ______________
c. Marchantia ______________
d. Cockroach _____________
Answer:
(a) DioeciousQuestion:14
Match the organisms given in Column ’A with the vegetative propagules given in Column ‘B’
Col. A i. Bryophyllum ii. Agave iii. Potato iv. Water hyacinth | Col. B a) offset b) eyes c) leaf buds d) bulbils |
Answer:
i→(c)
ii→(d)
iii→(b)
iv→(a)
Question:15
What do the following parts of a flower develop into after fertilisation?
a. Ovary ______________
b. Ovules _____________
Answer:
(a) FruitsQuestion:1
Answer:
In haploid organisms which reproduce by sexual reproduction, gametes are formed by meiotic division and the number of chromosomes is half of the total. The life cycle stage where meiosis occurs is known as the sporophytic generation and is represented by a single-celled zygote. In such plants, the gametophytic phase (haploid) is the dominant phase. Such a life cycle is called haplontic.Question:2
Answer:
Mitosis is involved in Asexual reproduction. Large organisms exhibit a complex organisation. In this scenario, it is not possible to produce all the different types of tissues required via the mitosis process.Question:3
Answer:
Females and workers in a colony of bees are diploid, but male drones are haploid. This is because unfertilised eggs develop into male drones. This process is known as Parthenogenesis and is also shown by many plants. Ex- BananaQuestion:4
With which type of reproduction do we associate the reduction division? Analyse the reasons for it.
Answer:
Reduction division is associated with sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction involves fertilisation, which fuses two gametes to create the zygote. In this process zygote becomes diploid. To maintain the characteristics of a species, the gametes need to become haploid. This is achieved by reduction division.Question:5
Answer:
Vegetative propagation can be considered asexual reproduction as:Question:6
Answer:
Parthenocarpic fruits like bananas are produced without fertilisation. It is also possible to artificially induce parthenocarpy in some plants like papaya and watermelon.Question:7
Answer:
In a developing embryo, if cell divisions are not followed by cell differentiation, it won’t be possible for the various types of tissues to be created, rather a single mass of identical cells would be created. Cell differentiation is essential for the creation of organisms exhibiting complex organisation. This is similar to the differentiation of meristematic cells in plants. For vascular plants, differentiation makes it possible to form specialised tissues which can perform various functions.Question:8
List the changes observed in an angiosperm flower after pollination and fertilisation.
Answer:
Post pollination and fertilisation, an angiosperm flower undergoes the following changes –Question:9
Answer:
Unlike tomato’s pericarp, which is differentiated into epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp; the pericarp in pea pod is not differentiated into many layers. The arrangement of seeds in a fruit depends on placentation. Pea flower shows marginal placentation, while tomato shows axial placentation.Question:10
Answer:
Similarities:Zoospores | Conidium |
They are motile | They are non-motile |
Flagella is present | Flagella is absent |
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Question:11
Justify the statement ‘Vegetative reproduction is also a type of asexual reproduction’.
Answer:
Vegetative reproduction is a type of asexual reproduction as:Question:1
Answer:
Asexual Reproduction | Sexual Reproduction |
A single parent is required | Two parents are required |
Gametogenesis doesn’t happen | Gametogenesis happens |
Meiosis does not happen | Meiosis takes place during gametogenesis |
The offspring’s genotype is identical to the parent | The offspring’s genotype is different from both parents. |
Simple organisms reproduce asexually | Complex organisms reproduce sexually |
Question:2
Analyse the situation with the background of gametogenesis and provide or give a suitable explanation.
Answer:
Post meiosis, gamete formation takes place. Crossing takes place during the pachytene stage of Prophase I in meiosis. During crossing over, non-sister chromatids combine, leading to the recombination of various genes.Question:3
Answer:
Sexual reproduction provides various survival benefits, and because of this, higher organisms in the kingdoms Animalia and Plantae prefer this mode of reproduction. Though asexual reproduction can generate a large number of offspring in a very short time span, these offspring are clones of their parent and have the same shortcomings as their parents. So, they will be equally susceptible to diseases and harsh surroundings. However, as sexual reproduction combines the genotypes of a parent, over time, the later generations tend to have better genotypes compared to the earlier generations.Question:4
(a) oestrus and menstrual cycles;
(b) ovipary and vivipary. Cite an example for each type.
Answer:
Oestrus cycle | Menstrual Cycle |
The female becomes sexually active during the ovulation phase | Ovulation and sexual activity of females are independent of each other |
In case of conception doesn’t take place, the endometrium is absorbed | In case of conception doesn’t take place, the endometrium is shed in fragments |
Visible signs appear on female genitalia | Blood and tissue discharge happens from female genitalia |
Ex – Cat, Dog, Horse | Ex – Humans, Chimpanzee, Monkey |
Ovipary | Vivipary |
The animal lays eggs | The animal gives birth to progeny |
There is a lesser demand for resources from the female’s body | There is a greater demand for resources from the female’s body |
The chances of survival of progeny are lower | Highly likely that the progeny to survive |
Ex – reptiles and aves | Ex – Most mammals, sharks etc |
Question:5
Answer:
Human intervention is responsible for the production or absence of fruits in these plants. The specific purpose for each plant is important to understand the issue:NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Solutions Subject wise:
This chapter is all about how different organisms reproduce. To answer questions well, students should understand the types, steps, and importance of reproduction in living beings.
Focus on differences and examples of asexual vs sexual reproduction, including budding, fragmentation, and gamete formation.
Understand the sequence of pre-fertilisation, fertilisation, and post-fertilisation events, and be able to identify them in examples.
Students have to practice NCERT-based MCQs, short and long answer questions, to become comfortable with exam formats.
Also, read the NCERT Solution subject-wise
Reproduction in Organisms chapter is the basis for understanding how living organisms provide for the continuation of their species. The following is a table that outlines the most significant topics students need to concentrate on for examination and conceptual understanding.
Types of Reproduction
Asexual Reproduction – Methods and Examples
Sexual Reproduction – Stages and Significance
Pre-fertilisation Events – Gametogenesis and Gamete Transfer
Fertilisation – External and Internal
Post-fertilisation Events – Embryogenesis and Development
Life Span and Life Cycle of Organisms
Differences between Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Significance of Reproduction in Organisms
Importance of Reproduction for Continuity of Life
Must Read NCERT Notes subject-wise
Practicing the important questions in the chapter will help you gain knowledge in the important topics of the chapter well and prepare you well for the board exams as well as other entrance exam.
Question:
What is the period from birth to natural death of an organism known as?
a) Life span
b) Senescence
c) Age
d) Life cycle
Answer: The correct answer is option (a) Life span
Explanation:
The period from birth to natural death of an organism is called its life span. Life span varies greatly among different organisms, ranging from a few days (as in some insects) to several thousand years (as in certain trees). It is a fundamental biological concept that helps distinguish between different life forms and is not to be confused with age (which refers to how long an individual has lived) or life cycle (which describes the sequence of stages in an organism's development)
Also, check the NCERT Books and the NCERT Syllabus here
Find all chapter-wise practice questions and solutions in the table below to strengthen your concepts and prepare effectively for exams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Asexual reproduction is less frequent in higher plants (angiosperms) and animals (vertebrates) because these groups have evolved complex reproductive structures and life cycles that favour genetic diversity through sexual reproduction.
The Exemplar includes MCQs, very short, short, and long answer questions covering concepts like types of reproduction, events in sexual reproduction, and differences between reproductive strategies. Practising these questions enhances conceptual clarity and exam preparedness.
Asexual reproduction involves a single parent and produces offspring that are genetically and morphologically identical to the parent (clones), while sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes from one or two parents, resulting in genetically diverse offspring.
The term 'clone' is not used for sexually produced offspring because they do not possess exact copies of parental DNA; instead, they inherit a mix of genetic material from both parents, resulting in genetic variation.
On Question asked by student community
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