REPRODUCTION and its importance
In a general sense, an organism's ability to reproduce may be one of its most important qualities. It means making offspring, another organism that will provide for the continued existence of that organism. Through reproduction, an animal is able to carry down its traits and essentially continue its legacy. One of the first characteristics of life itself that emerged in primeval times must have been the ability of some kind of primitive system to make copies of itself. [1]
There are two types of reproduction: sexual and asexual. Sexual reproduction involves the mating of two parents to form genetically different offspring. The progeny will have half of their chromosomes from one parent and half from the other. Protists, fungi, plants, and most animals reproduce this way. Asexual reproduction is with only one parent that forms cloned offspring. Bacteria, plants, fungi, protists, animals- everything on Earth- uses this kind of reproduction for the cloning of cells in their body. Example of asexual reproduction include Binary Fission, which is cell division in bacteria, and Budding, which is when the offspring branches and grows from the parent.
There are two types of reproduction: sexual and asexual. Sexual reproduction involves the mating of two parents to form genetically different offspring. The progeny will have half of their chromosomes from one parent and half from the other. Protists, fungi, plants, and most animals reproduce this way. Asexual reproduction is with only one parent that forms cloned offspring. Bacteria, plants, fungi, protists, animals- everything on Earth- uses this kind of reproduction for the cloning of cells in their body. Example of asexual reproduction include Binary Fission, which is cell division in bacteria, and Budding, which is when the offspring branches and grows from the parent.
Meiosis and mitosis
Cell Division can occur in two ways- through Mitosis or through Meiosis.
Mitosis allows for growth and the replacement of damaged cells in the body. During the process of Mitosis, the parent cell goes through a complicated process of phases that lead to the creation of two identical diploid cells (they each have 46 chromosomes). Mitosis is important to asexual reproduction because it allows organisms like bacteria to replicate and grow in population. For organisms that reproduce sexually, mitosis works to grow and repair other cells.
Meiosis produces gametes that allow sexual reproduction to occur. In meiosis, two homologous chromosomes will "cross over" and exchange genetic material. The homologous will align, then the spindle fibers in the cells will separate then, forming daughter cells. These daughter cells will then divide again to create four haploid cells (they each have 23 chromosomes) that are genetically dissimilar to the parent cell. These haploid cells, otherwise known as gametes, become sperm in the male and eggs in the female that will together create life in sexual reproduction.
Mitosis allows for growth and the replacement of damaged cells in the body. During the process of Mitosis, the parent cell goes through a complicated process of phases that lead to the creation of two identical diploid cells (they each have 46 chromosomes). Mitosis is important to asexual reproduction because it allows organisms like bacteria to replicate and grow in population. For organisms that reproduce sexually, mitosis works to grow and repair other cells.
Meiosis produces gametes that allow sexual reproduction to occur. In meiosis, two homologous chromosomes will "cross over" and exchange genetic material. The homologous will align, then the spindle fibers in the cells will separate then, forming daughter cells. These daughter cells will then divide again to create four haploid cells (they each have 23 chromosomes) that are genetically dissimilar to the parent cell. These haploid cells, otherwise known as gametes, become sperm in the male and eggs in the female that will together create life in sexual reproduction.
reproduction in the thorny oyster
The Spondylus Americanus, like all other organisms, must find a way to reproduce and continue existing. The Thorny Oyster, which reproduces sexually, has not been studied when it comes to its reproductive process. However, the reproductive morphology is very similar to that of the members of the family Pectinidae, and a look at their sexual organs and way of reproducing should accurately show how the Thorny Oyster reproduces [2]. The reproductive organs of this species will swell when sexual activity is imminent. Ducts in the body of the creature connect the organs to the kidneys, which then work to disperse eggs and sperm into the water (while the thorny Oyster does have separates sexes, their organs contain both sperm and egg meaning they can fertilize their own egg). This may be accompanied by a flapping of the shell to further spread the sperm and egg. During this process, the oyster will appear inactive and docile. Reproduction in Spondylidae will occur in warm water during the summer.