CBSE Class 8 - Science - Ch 9 (Reproduction in Animals) - NCERT Solutions -

Reproduction in Animals - NCERT Solutions

(Chapter 9: Reproduction in Animals - NCERT Book Solutions)

Q1: Explain the importance of reproduction in organisms.
Answer:
1. Reproduction is essential for the continuation of a species.
2. It ensures the continuation of similar kinds of individuals, generation after generation.

Q2: Describe the process of fertilization in human beings.
Answer: There is sexual reproduction in human beings. Male reproductive organs produce sperms (male gametes) while the female gametes produce ova (female gametes).  The sperms are ejected inside female bodies where they fuse with the ovum and form a zygote (called internal fertilization). The single-celled zygote begins to develop into an embryo which attaches to the female uterus wall. The embryo further multiples into many cells and develops further into a small baby called a foetus.

Q3: Choose the most appropriate answer:
(a) Internal fertilization occurs
      (i) in a female body.
      (ii) outside the female body.
      (iii) in a male body.
      (iv) outside the male body.
Answer: (i) in a female body.



(b) A tadpole develops into an adult frog by the process of
(i) fertilization. (ii) metamorphosis. (iii) embedding. (iv) budding.
Answer: (ii) metamorphosis.

(c) The number of nuclei present in a zygote is
(i) none. (ii) one. (iii) two. (iv) four.
Answer: (iii) two (fused nuclei).

4. Indicate whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F):
(a) Oviparous animals give birth to young ones.                             (F)
(b) Each sperm is a single cell.                                                    (T)
(c) External fertilization takes place in frogs.                              (T)
(d) A new human individual develops from a cell called a gamete. (F)
(e) Egg laid after fertilization is made up of a single cell.            (T)
(f) Amoeba reproduces by budding.                                           (F)
(g) Fertilization is necessary even in asexual reproduction.         (F)
(h) Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction.               (T)
(i) A zygote is formed as a result of fertilization.                         (T)
(j) An embryo is made up of a single cell.                                (F)

Q5. Give two differences between a zygote and a foetus.
Answer:

Zygote	Embryo
A zygote is single cellular.	The embryo is multi-cellular.
No well-defined body parts.	Has well-defined limbs and other body parts.
It is formed during fertilization when sperm fuses into an ovum.	Embryo formation is a post-fertilization process in which the zygote multiples into a multi-cellular body.

Q6. Define asexual reproduction. Describe two methods of asexual reproduction in animals.
Answer:  Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction in which only one parent is involved to reproduce offspring. In asexual reproduction, the offsprings produced are exact copies of their parents.
It is generally observed in very small-sized organisms. Binary fission, Budding, Fragmentation etc. are examples of asexual reproduction.

1. Budding: In this mode, a part of the organism starts bulging out. Slowly it grows and develops into a separate individual. Examples: Hydra, yeast.

2. Binary Fission: It is a type of asexual reproduction in which a single cell divides into two halves. Organisms that reproduce through binary fission are bacteria and Amoeba.

Q7. In which female reproductive organ does the embryo get embedded?
Answer:  In the walls of the uterus. The embryo, once attached to the uterus gradually develops various body parts such as hands, legs, head, eyes, etc into an embryo.

8. What is metamorphosis? Give examples.
Answer:  Metamorphosis is a biological process in which a larva transforms into an adult. It involves sudden and abrupt changes in the body structure of the animal by cell growth and differentiation. it is generally observed in amphibians (e.g. frogs) and insects (e.g. butterflies) etc.

The life cycle of a frog has three life stages.
Egg >>>>> Tadpole  >>>> Adult
1. Eggs: Eggs are the result of external fertilization which transforms into fish-like tadpoles.
2. Tadpoles: Tadpole has gills, smallmouth and fish-like tail to swim inside lakes and ponds.
3. Frog: Tadpoles grow and transform into small frog which is amphibian by nature.

Q9. Differentiate between internal fertilization and external fertilization.

Answer:

Internal Fertilization	External Fertilization
Fusion of male and female gametes inside the female body.	Fusion of male and female gametes outside the female body.
High chances of survival of offspring, so less number of ova/eggs are produced.	Low chances of survival, a large number of eggs are produced.
Cows, Hens, Human beings (mostly mammals).	Examples: Fish, frog, starfish

Q10: Complete the crossword puzzle using the hints given below 

Across
1. The process of the fusion of the gametes.
6. The type of fertilization in the hen.
7. The term used for bulges observed on the sides of the body of Hydra.
8. Eggs are produced here.
Down
2. Sperms are produced in these male reproductive organs.
3. Another term for the fertilized egg.
4. These animals lay eggs.
5. A type of fission in amoeba.
Answer: