Understand the importance of reproduction in organisms
Answers
Answer:
Reproduction is an important characteristic feature of living organisms. It is an essential life process which not only helps in survival but also helps in continuity of that race and group immortality, as by reproduction. Young ones replace the old and dying ones. These young ones feed, grow and reproduce again.
Explanation:
There is a large diversity of living organisms on the earth. The plants and animals are main living organisms. The group comprising plants and animals is so large and there are so many organisms. All organisms differ in their form and structure. Some plants are small, still others are large. Some animals exist on land, some others live in water. Some plants are grown in pots, some are large trees.
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All organ systems, except the reproductive systems, help the organism to remain alive under different conditions of environment. All organisms grow and after a definite period of life, they perish. Before death the plants and animals try to continue their species. The organisms produce the individuals like themselves. The process by which the species is continued is called reproduction.
Importance of Reproduction:
Reproduction is an important characteristic feature of living organisms. It is an essential life process which not only helps in survival but also helps in continuity of that race and group immortality, as by reproduction. Young ones replace the old and dying ones.
These young ones feed, grow and reproduce again. Reproduction also helps in increasing the population of the species. Reproduction acts as a vehicle of organic evolution by transmitting advantageous variations to the offspring.
Lifespan:
The period from birth to the natural death of an organism represents its lifespan. Every organism has a specific average lifespan. It means every organism grows and lives for a particular length of time. Lifespan may range from one day to 4000 years.
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Lifespan depends upon four stages:
(i) Juvenility:
This represents the stage when organism develops the capacity to reproduce.
(ii) Maturity:
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In this stage reproduction starts.
(iii) Ageing and senescence:
Progressive deterioration in body of a living being is called ageing. The terminal irreversible stage of ageing is known as senescence.
(iv) Death:
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In death, there is permanent cessation of all vital activities. Lifespan of Mayfly is only one day. Housefly has lifespan of 1-4 months. Lion lives for about 25 years. Insects live for few months. Elephant lives up to the age of 90 years. The Banyan tree may live for more than 200 years.
Different organisms have different lifespans
Great Indian banyan tree is located in Indian Botanical garden of Howrah. Similarly, another large and old banyan tree is present at Ketohalli in Bangalore. Butterfly has the lifespan of 1-2 weeks. Tortoise lives up to 150 years. Crow has the lifespan of 15 years. Crocodile lives up to 60 years. Parrot has the lifespan of 150 years.