Reproduction is a concept in biology that is associated with processes such as fertilization, division and direct reproduction, reproduction of their own kind. This concept is also used in painting, but the topic of the article does not concern this aspect.
What is reproduction in biology: definition
Self-reproduction is one of the most important concepts in biology. The process of creating similar ones ensures the continued existence of species. Reproduction, or reproduction, is often considered solely from the point of view of offspring production in animals and plants. This is one of the important signs of all living organisms. At the lowest level, this is called chemical replication.
In unicellular organisms, the ability of one cell to reproduce means the emergence of a new individual. In multicellular organisms, however, this means growth and regeneration. Reproduction occurs in a variety of ways, accompanied by the participation of a complex system of organs and the work of specific hormonal mechanisms.
Reproduction levels
Reproduction is a concept in biology that means the reproduction and reproduction of their own kind. The following levels are distinguished:
- molecular copying;
- cell reproduction;
- reproduction of organisms.
Let us dwell on the latter in more detail.
Sexual and asexual reproduction
Reproduction is an integral part of the existence of all life on the planet in biology. In multicellular organisms, asexual and sexual reproduction are distinguished.
Vegetative propagation can have a wide variety of forms. Many multicellular lower plants secrete asexual spores, which can be either mononuclear or multicore. Often whole fragments of the vegetative part of the body can reproduce a new organism, which is found in most plants.
In many cases, asexual reproduction is due to the roots and shoots. Sometimes other parts of plants have the ability to self-reproduce, for example, buds. Asexual reproduction is also characteristic of some animals, including numerous species of invertebrates (sponges, hydras, worms). Vertebrates have lost the ability to reproduce vegetatively, their only form of organismic reproduction is the genital tract.
Reproduction and natural selection
The significance of biological reproduction can only be explained by natural selection. In developing his theory, Charles Darwin concluded: in order to evolve, living organisms must be able to not only reproduce themselves, but also undergo certain changes. Thus, more successful generations will make a greater contribution to the subsequent development of the descendant species. In addition, the magnitude of these changes and genetic transformations is particularly important. They should not be too few or too many.
Examples and methods of reproduction in nature
What does reproduction look like in biology? Examples, like methods, are quite numerous. Sexual reproduction, which involves a combination of parental genes, is a way of obtaining a new individual organism. During fertilization, the sperm and egg genomes combine to form a zygote, which after numerous transformations becomes an embryo. This type of reproduction is widespread in almost all groups of multicellular organisms. Quite interesting from a biological point of view is pollination.
Reproduction is a feature in biology that is inherent in all living organisms. Reproduction ensures the continuity and continuity of the entire life cycle. There are many breeding methods, but there are two main ones. This is sexual and asexual reproduction. Since all organisms have a cellular structure, cell division is the basis of all forms and methods of reproduction.