Chapter 10 REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS After studying this chapter, students will be able to: * Describe’ different types of asexual reproduction ie, binary fission, budding, spore formation and vegetative propagation, + _ Distinguish between vegetative propagation and artiticial Propagation, {_ Biplain vegetative propagation in plants (through stem, suckers and leaves). * Describe’ the two methods of artical vegetative Propagation (stem cuttings and grafting). * Explain sexual reproduction in Plants, Tebroduction, the offspring have variations among themselves and with the parents, This chapter explores the methods of reproduction in plants, both asexual and Sexual reproduction. We will study the vegetative and artificial ‘propagation methods. Artificial propagation techniques like stem cuttings and grafting will also be discussed, 10.1- TYPES OF ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION Some common methods of asexual reproduction in different organisms are given next, 14710- Reproduction in Plants ‘1. Binary Fission Binary fission means division in to two. It is the usual method of reproduction in bacteria. During binary fission, the bacterial DNA replicates and the daughter DNA molecules move to opposite sides. Then, the cell membrane pinches in. New cells wall is synthesized in the middle and so two identical daughter cells bacteria are produced. 2) 6H) Oe) 1. Parent 2.DNA replicates 3. Cell membrane 4. Daughter Bacteria Bacterium pinches in é FIGURE 10.1: Binary fission in bacteria Many protists (unicellular eukaryotes 9. [53 animals ag Panaans Amoeba, Euglena etc, also reproduce by binary | atso reproduce asexually by fission. In protists, the nucleus of parent organism | binary fission. divides into two. This is followed by the division of 7 cytoplasm. So, two daughter protists are formed. Sie hee 1. Parent Amoebs 2, Nucleus divides 3, Cytoplasm divides 4, Daughter Amoebae FIGURE 10.2: Binary fission in Amoeba 2. Budding This method is very common in yeast (a unicellular : Some animals e.g. hydra also fungus). During budding, a part of the parent | reproduce aserually by organism grows out from its body. This part is | budding called a bud. When the bud has grown big, it may separate ‘from parent body or may remain attached. 14810- Reproduction in Plants ‘bud forms Bud grows ‘and new buds form FIGURE 10.3: Budding in Yeast 3. Spore Formation Spores are thick-walled asexual reproductive cells. Most fungi (e.g. Rhizopus: bread mold) . produce spores in special sac-like structures called sporangia (Singular: sporangium). When spores are mature, the sporangium bursts and spores are released, Spores can tolerate unfavourable conditions due to their thick walls. When favourable conditions: are available, the spores germinate to Produce riew fungus, Some bacteria reproduce by FIGURE 10.4: Asexual reproduction by forming endospores (spores produced inside the cell). They form endospores in unfavourable environmental conditions. Even if the original cell dies, the endospore survives. When conditions improve, the endospore grows into a new bacterium. . 4: Vegetative Propagation in Rhizopus) The improperly sterilized canned foods may contain endospores of bacteria, When — endospores germinate, new bacteria make toxins. Itis a methods of asexual reproduction in plants. In this method, new plant is Produced from the vegetative’ part (root, stem or leaf) of the parent plant. 7 14910- Reproduction in Plants : Vegetative propagation takes much less time to produce new generation as. compared to the sexual method. Secondly, the offspring are genetically identical to the parent plant. Vegetative propagation may be natural or artificial. ° Natural vegetative propagation is a process where plants reproduce on their own, using structures like stems, roots, or leaves. * » Artificial vegetative propagation means the processes in which humans use the vegetative parts of plants for their reproduction by methods like cuttings, grafting, or layering. In the natural vegetative propagation, plants use the following vegetative parts for producing new plant. (@)- Stem The following types of stems take part in vegetative propagation in plants: 1. Stolon (runnet): It is a horizontal stem that grows above the ground. A stolon has nodes where new leaves and roots grow. The leaves grow upwards and roots grow down. In this way, a new plant is formed at the node. Strawberry reproduces by using its stolon, FIGURE 10.5: Vegetative propagation in strawberry . (through runner) Stolon New plant (runnen) 2. Tuber: It is fleshy stem’ that grows underground. It has "eyes" which are actually its buds. Eyes can grow . into new plants. Potatoes reproduce by tubers. 3. Rhizome: It is a horizontal stem that grows below the ground. It has nodes Where new leaves and roots grow. In this way, a new plant grows from each node. Ferns, ginger, and sugar cane reproduce by using rhizome, 150 “eS10- Reproduction in Plants Potato (through tuber) /egetative propagation in ginger (through rhizome) 4. Bulb: It is a very short stem that grows underground. It has bud and fleshy leaves. Bulbs grows naturally to produce new plants, Tulips, onions and lilies reproduce by bulbs. : 5. Corti: It resembles the bulb but does not have fleshy leaves, Almost all of a Decraonsists of stem, with a few brown non-functional leaves on the outside. Dasheen and garlic reproduce by corms, Brown leaves FIGURE 10.8: Vegetative propagation in FIGURE 10.9: Vegetative propagation in onion (through bulb) garlic (through corm) (b)- Suckers10- Reproduction in Plants (b)- Modified Leaves The leaves of some plants (e.g. Bryophyllum) are modified for’ vegetative propagation. Such leaves have buds at their margins, When leaf falls on ground, the buds grow into new plants. Modified leaf FIGURE 10.11: Modified leaf of bryophyllum FIGURE 10.10: Sucker in banaria 10.2- ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION Artificial propagation includes the methods in which humans produce new plents by using the vegetative parts of plants. It includes techniques such as cutting, grafting, or tissue culture. Artificial propagation is used’ to cultivate plants with desirable characteristics or to increase crop production. The following two are the most common methods of artificial propagation. 1. Cutting In some plants, a piece of stem or a piece of root can form a new plant. Such a piece of stem or root that are cut from a plant and used to grow new plant is called cutting. Cuttings are widely used to propagate houseplants, ornamental trees and shrubs, and some fruit crops, Roses and grapevines are grown from stem cuttings. Sweet potato is grown from root cuttings. 15210- Reproduction in Plants New plant Parent plant FIGURE 10.12: Using Cuttings for vegetative propagation. 2. Grafting Grafting is the joining of two or more plant parts of the same type to form a Single plant. In grafting, a bud or small stem of one plant is attached te tha ‘ots or stems of a second plant. Grafting enables to combine the beneficial characteristics of two plants. This method is used to propagate almost’ all commercial fruit trees and (e.g, almond, plum, cherries etc), many ofnamental trees arid shrubs, Piece from second plant Parent plant New plant FIGURE 10,13: Grafting Advantages and Disadvantages of Vegetative Propagation Advantages: Vegetative propagation allows to produce many new plants in a short time. The new plants are exactly like the parent plant, so they all have the Same goorkcharacteristics. This means useful qualities, ike good fruit or strong growth, are’ passed on to the next generation. 15310- Reproduction in Plants Disadvantage: Plants produced through vegetative propagation do not have genetic differences. In other words, all the offspring are identical. Due to it, they are equally sensitive to environmental changes and prone to the same diseases or pests, 1 10.3~-'SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS The major groups of plants have two type generations during..sexual reproduction which come one after the other. These are sporophyte generation and gametophyte generation. The sporophyte generation produces spores which grow and make the new gametophyte generation. The gametophyte geheration produces gametes which unite and make the new sporophyte generation. This phenomenon is called alternation of generations, The sporophyte generation is diploid (2n) and produces haploid (in) spores by meiosis. The spores develop into haploid gametophyte generation, The gametophyte produces haploid gametes by mitosis. The haploid gametes fuse to form diploid zygote, which develops into the next sporophyte stage. FIGURE 10.14: Alternation of generations in plants Life Cycle of Angiosperms (Flowering Plants) In angiosperms, flowers are the organs for sexual reproduction. 15410- Reproduction in Plants Parts of a Flower The receptacle is the swollen tip of a flower stalk where all the floral parts-(are attached. It serves as the base that supports the flower's structure. Floral parts are in the form of the following four concentric whorls, or rings: 1. Calyx: It is the outermost whorl. It is made of green leaf-like sepals. Sepals protect the inner parts of a developing flower before it opens. 2. Corolla: It is the second whorl and made of petals, Most flowers have coloured petals, 3. Androecium: It is the third whorl and is made of male reproductive structures called: stamens, Each stamen consists of an anther and a filament. Anther contains pollen sacs (microsporangia), which produce microspores. The stalk-like filament supports the anther. 4. Gynoecium: itis the innermost whorl made of the female reproductive structures called carpels. A carpel consists of three parts, The enlarged base of carpel is called ovary, It is the part vihere ovules are produced, Ovules ‘Produce megaspores during reproduction, | 1 "0" form a iL The stalk-lke part attached to ovary is called | structure calle pitt style. iil, The tip of style is called stigma. Carpet In some flowers, one or more carpels are Overy stigma sty FIGURE 10.15: Parts of a flower 155 '10- Reproduction in Plants Stages of the Life Cycle An-angiosperm plant represents the sporophyte generation. When a flower matures, it produces spotes. The spores germinate and make female and male gametophytes, The gametophytes are small structures consisting of few cells only. They make gametes which combine to form zygote that develops into new sporophyte. Following are the main stages in the life cycle of an angiosperm. 1- Development of Female Gametophyte (Embryo Sac) : The ovule acts as megasporangium. It contains a diploid megaspore mother cell which undergoes meiosis and produces four haploid megaspores. Only ohe megaspore remains alive. Inside megaspore, eight haploid nuclei are formed by mitosis. Two nuclei migrate to the center and fuse to form.a fusion nucleus. One nucleus out of the remaining six forms the female gamete ie, egg cell. xe Meiosis 5} Megaspore \¥ (an) | nucleus (3n) i &.. Embryo sac, (fernale gametopijte) Mogasporangium (Ove) Micropyle FIGURE 10.16: Development of female gametophyte (embryo sac) The resulting structure, which contains seven cells (one egg cell, one fusion nucleus, and five non-functional cells), is the female gametophyte. or embryo sac 15610- Reproduction in Plants 2: Development of Male Gametophyte (Pollen Grain) The pollen sacs present in anther act as microsporangia. Fach pollen sac contains many diploid microspore mother cells. Each miciospore mother cel undergoes meiosis and produces four haploid microspores. A microspore undergoes mitosis. The resulting two-celled structure is a pollen grain, which is the male gametophyte, One cell in pollen grain is the tube cell, which will form, the pollen tube. The other cell is the generative cell, which will form two sperms, ‘ Microspore Microspores (1n) mother cell Meiosis, @ @ Xe) Mitosis, ‘Tube cell eS etna cell ‘Male gametophyte (pollen grain) Microsporangium Filament | (pollen sac) FIGURE 10.17: Development of male gametophyte (pollen grain) 3- Pollination The male gametophyte (pollen grain) contains sperms while the female gametophyte (embryo sac) contains egg. The pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma so that the sperms can fertilize the egg, It is called pollination i, the transfer of, pollen grains from an anther to a stigma, The transfer of pollens from the anther to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant is called self-pollination. The transfer of pollens from the anther of one Plant to the stigma of a flower on a different Plant of the same species. is called cross- pollination. 4- Fertilization When pollen grain reaches stigma, its tube cell forms a pollen tube, This tube grows through the stigma and style towards the ovary. The pollen tube reaches 15710- Reproduction in Plants the ovule and enters in it'through the micropyle. The generative cell of pollen grain forms two sperms, which enter the embryo sac to reach the egg. One sperm fuses with the egg, forming a diploid zygote. The zygote eventually develops into an embryo. The second sperm fuses with the fusion nucleus, producing a triploid (3n) nucleus. This nucleus then develops into tissue called endosperm. The endosperm provides nourishment for the embryo. This ‘process of the fusion of two sperms (one with the egg and the other.with the fusion nucleus) js called, double fertilization. It is a unique characteristic of angiosperms. Embryo sac (female gametophyte) Sperms Ea: Endosperm ‘nucleus (3n) 2ygote Seed , (an) = FIGURE 10.18: Life cycle of a flowering plant 5- Seed and Fruit Formation After fertilization, the zygote develops into embryo and the triploid nucleus develops into'endosperm tissue. After these developments, the ovule is said to be matured and is now called seed. The ovary changes into fruit, 15810- Reproduction in Plants 6- Development of Sporophytes When seeds mature, they are.dispersed, If seeds get suitable conditions, their embryos develop into new plants (the Sporophytes of the next generation). |n some’ plants, ovaries develop into frults without fertilization of egg in Ovule. So, there is.no seed in fruit. This Process is known as parthenocarpy. It results in seedless fruits e.g, bananas and seedless varieties of grapes. Key Points ° Binary fission is the division in which the Parent cell simply divides into two daughter cells, each genetically identical to the parent, * In.budlding, the offspring develops from a small outgrowth or "bud" on the Parent organism, ° Vegetative propagation is a method of. plant reproduction where new plants are produced from vegetative structures like stems, roots or leaves, * Cloning is the technique of producing identical offsprings from small pieces Of tissue taken from shoot tips or other suitable parts of the plant. * Plants have two different generations, The diploid generation produces Spores and is called sporophyte generation, while haploid generation Produces gametes and is called gametophyte generation. nuclei .é, a tube nucleus and a generative nucleus: The generative nucleus divides again by mitosis to produce two sperms. * A germinated microspore has a tube nucleus and. two sperms is male gametuphyte generation of plant. * Ovule contains one megaspore mother cell which undergoes meiosis and Produces four haploid megaspores. In one ovule, only one megaspore remaifs functional. Here it germinates into haploid female gametophyte, called embryo sac * Embryo sac consists of seven cells. There is one egg and two other cells at one end. There are three cells at the other end. There is a large cell in the centre which contains two polar nuclei fusion nucleus in +1n). 159a> N 2 * 2 2 a 2 © 10- Reproduction in Plants EXERCISE Select the correct answers for the following questions. Which of the following organisms commonly reproduce by binary fission? a) Yeast b) Bacteria ©) Rhizopus d) Plants What is the primary method of reproduction in yeast? a) Binary fission b) Spore formation ©) Budding d) Fragmentation ,. Which of the following statements is true about spore formation in fungi? a) They produce spores during sexual reproduction b) They produce two kinds of spores @) Spores can only grow into new fungi in dry environments d) Spores are produced to withstand harsh condlitions What happens in some bacteria during harsh conditions? a) Creation of a bud that detaches from the cell b) Formation of thick-walled endospores © Splitting the cell into two identical daughter cells d) Fusion of two bacterial cells Which of the following is an example of vegetative propagation through runners? a) Potato b) Strawberry ©) Onion d) Ginger Which plant propagates through tubers? a) Onion b) Potato ¢) Ginger d) Garlic ae . ‘The horizontal aboveground stem, which produces leaves and roots at its nodes; a) Stolon b) Bulb ©) Rhizome d) Corm 3 Which of these does NOT help a plant for vegetative propagation? a) Rhizome b) Corm ) Runner " d) Flower Which part of the flower is responsible for producing pollen? a) Stigma b) Anther ©) Ovary d) Petal 16010- Reproduction in Plants 10:Which of the following is NOT a part of carpel? a) Filament b) Style ©) Stigma d) Ovary : ‘11.Which structure forms the female gametophyte in flowering plants? @) Pollen grain b) Ovule ©) Anther d) Sepal 12. The male gametophyte in flowering plants is known as: a) Pollen grain b) Embryo sac ©) Ovary d) Carpel 13.1n the life cycle of flowering plants, which structure is triploid (3n)? a) Egg b) Fusion nucleus ©) Endosperm nucleus ) Sperm 14. Embryo’sac is formed inside; “ a) Filament b) Anther ©) Style d) Ovule 15. Double fertilization involves; a) Fertilization of the egg by two male gametes ») Fertilization of two eggs in the same embryo sac by two sperms ©) Fertilization of the egg and the fusion nucleus by two sperins d) Fertilization of the egg and the tube cell by two sperms . Write short answers, Write a short note on budding in yeast. Write a short hote on spore formation in fungi. . What are the advantages of spore formation in fungi and bacteria? Describe how vegetative Propagation occurs through runners. State how potatoes reproduce through tubers, Describe the advantages and disadvantages of vegetative propagation. » Name the four whoris present in a flower and also tell the components of each whorl, . Briefly describe the formation of egg cell and poler nuclei within embryo sac of a flower. . Differentiate between: i. Asexual and sexual reproduction ii. Binary fission in bacteria and amoeba iii. Stolon and rhizome iv. Bulb and corm NOTRWN ow @ 2 16110- Reproduction in Plants V. Cutting.and grafting vi. Vegetative propagation and artificial propagation vii, Male and female gametophytes vili. Calyx and corolla ix, Stamen and carpel 10. Label the given diagram of flower. C. Write answers in detail. 1, Explain the process of binary fission in bacteria and describe how i it leads to the formation of two daughter bacteria. 2. What do you mean by vegetative propagation? Differentiate among different plant structures modified for vegetative propagation. 3: ‘Describe the ways by which humans can grow new plants by using the vegetative parts of the parent plants? 4. Define sporophyte and gametophyte, State their roles in the life cycle of plants. 5. Explain the lifecycle of flowering plants, focusing on the alternation between the gametophyte and sporophyte generations. 6. Describe how the female gametophyte (embryo sac) develops within the ovule of a flower. 162