Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 50%

Asexual reproduction is best illustrated by which of the following?

Rationale

A growing bacteria cell divides, producing two genetically identical daughter cells.

Asexual reproduction involves a single organism reproducing without the genetic contribution of another, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. This process is exemplified by bacterial cell division, where one cell splits into two identical cells, maintaining the same genetic material.

A (A sperm cell from a male frog fuses with an egg cell from a female frog to produce a new egg.) YOUR ANSWER

This option describes sexual reproduction, where genetic material from two different parents (sperm and egg) combines to form a new organism. A key characteristic of asexual reproduction is the absence of such genetic contributions, making this choice incorrect.

B (A growing bacteria cell divides, producing two genetically identical daughter cells.) CORRECT

This choice accurately represents asexual reproduction, specifically binary fission in bacteria, where a single bacterium divides into two identical cells. It perfectly illustrates the process of asexual reproduction, as there is no exchange or fusion of genetic material from another organism.

C (An insect transfers pollen between the flowers of a plant, resulting in fertilization.) YOUR ANSWER

This option describes pollination, which is a process involved in sexual reproduction in flowering plants. Pollen transfer facilitates the fertilization of ovules, leading to the formation of seeds and new plants, hence not fitting the definition of asexual reproduction.

D (A paramecium takes up water from its surroundings, resulting in an increase in size.) YOUR ANSWER

While this statement describes a physiological process (osmosis) that enables a paramecium to grow, it does not involve reproduction at all. Asexual reproduction requires the creation of new individuals, which this scenario does not illustrate.

Conclusion

Asexual reproduction is characterized by the production of offspring from a single parent organism, resulting in genetically identical descendants. The example of a bacteria cell dividing into two identical daughter cells exemplifies this concept. In contrast, the other options involve genetic contributions from multiple organisms or processes that do not lead to the creation of new individuals, clearly distinguishing them from asexual reproduction.

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