Reproduction
The reproduction process plays an enormous role in evolution on Earth. Living things are born and die, but life on our planet continues.
It's a miracle that nature came up with
amazing ways to maintain and continue life in every possible form. This process
is called reproduction. Although all
living things are trying to reproduce, they have to be successful in doing so. What does that mean? It means that living
organisms have to pass on their genes or individual characteristics to their
children/offspring and their children have to have abilities to do the same. This is how life goes on.
You really discover the the true beauty of nature (at least when you live in New York),when you spend a beautiful day in Central Park enjoying the blue sky, plants and trees, and, of course, watching birds! However, science was able to describe exactly how life progresses from generations to generations resulting in this particular scenery that you might see at this moment.
Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
For asexual reproduction one parent is enough. Even though it sounds like a little dysfunctional to you, this is the only way to reproduce for some plants and unicellular organisms. But don’t feel too bad, this way of reproduction is very time efficient and does not require finding a mate. Since only one parent participates in reproduction process, if, by any chance a parent has a disease, it will surely be passed on to offspring. That also means that living organisms born by asexual reproduction have less chances to adapt in changing environment because they don’t benefit from genetic cross-over introduced by sexual reproduction.
For sexual reproduction, two parents (male and female)are required to mate. Most mammals and fish use sexual reproduction. Organisms born by sexual reproduction are more protected because of the possibility of genetic variations in new generations of offspring and this is fundamental to evolution on our planet. [1]
For sexual reproduction, two parents (male and female)are required to mate. Most mammals and fish use sexual reproduction. Organisms born by sexual reproduction are more protected because of the possibility of genetic variations in new generations of offspring and this is fundamental to evolution on our planet. [1]
Mitosis and Meiosis
Having parents is not enough, there are some processes that have to happen on the cellular level for organisms to reproduce and grow.
By definition, meiosis is a process of germ cell division involving two fissions of the nucleus and giving rise to four gametes, or sex cells, each possessing half the number of chromosomes of the original cell. Meiosis is very important for our evolution because it supports the process of sexual reproduction in not only humans but also in animals, plants and fungi. Meiosis creates sex cells only such as female egg cells or male sperm cells. As well as meiosis supports crossing over the chromosomes from both parents giving a possibility for offspring to evolve and to be more strong or more beautiful. The fact that you exist on this planet is owed all to meiosis. Isn't that amazing? There are several steps in the process of Meiosis, which are: Interphase, Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, Telophase I, Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II and Telophase II. [3]
By definition, mitosis is a process of cell division during which one cell gives rise to two genetically identical daughter cells. In translation, all organisms on the planet use Mitosis to support their living. From the moment babies are born, they are constantly growing by division and multiplying their body cells. Mitosis makes sure of that. Every time you injure yourself and your fractures or cuts are healing, this is due to mitosis. During your life, your cells are constantly changing making sure you are fresh and energetic again, all thanks to mitosis. That means that this type of reproduction is asexual and the crossover of chromosomes cannot occur making sure that any cell that your organism lost, has been replaced by exactly the same cell. Some single cell organisms use Mitosis to reproduce. There are also several steps in Mitosis cell division: Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase and Cytokinesis. [2]
By definition, meiosis is a process of germ cell division involving two fissions of the nucleus and giving rise to four gametes, or sex cells, each possessing half the number of chromosomes of the original cell. Meiosis is very important for our evolution because it supports the process of sexual reproduction in not only humans but also in animals, plants and fungi. Meiosis creates sex cells only such as female egg cells or male sperm cells. As well as meiosis supports crossing over the chromosomes from both parents giving a possibility for offspring to evolve and to be more strong or more beautiful. The fact that you exist on this planet is owed all to meiosis. Isn't that amazing? There are several steps in the process of Meiosis, which are: Interphase, Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, Telophase I, Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II and Telophase II. [3]
By definition, mitosis is a process of cell division during which one cell gives rise to two genetically identical daughter cells. In translation, all organisms on the planet use Mitosis to support their living. From the moment babies are born, they are constantly growing by division and multiplying their body cells. Mitosis makes sure of that. Every time you injure yourself and your fractures or cuts are healing, this is due to mitosis. During your life, your cells are constantly changing making sure you are fresh and energetic again, all thanks to mitosis. That means that this type of reproduction is asexual and the crossover of chromosomes cannot occur making sure that any cell that your organism lost, has been replaced by exactly the same cell. Some single cell organisms use Mitosis to reproduce. There are also several steps in Mitosis cell division: Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase and Cytokinesis. [2]
Red Spotted Newt Reproduction
Red-Spotted Newts reproduce sexually and they breed once per year. The process of fertilization of eggs is external. If you would like to have red-spotted newts as your pet and you would like to see their babies at home, you’re going to need to know some of these tips. Male and female red-spotted newts are ready to mate around the age of 3. Make sure when you buy newts at the pet store, you ask for their age. The time of the year is also important. Newts breeding season begins in late winter and lasts until early spring. During the breeding season, female red-spotted newts carry hundreds of eggs, up 200 to 400 and are looking for a mate, preferably a very handsome fellow. The courtship ritual of the red-spotted newt adult begins when the female is attracted to the male's spots on his hind legs, as well as the common male behavior of wiggling his tail. Wiggling of the tail causes a specific odor to be released that attracts females. Once the female chose her mate, the male will then goes to the bottom of the lake or a pond and leaves a ‘packet’ sperm there. The ability to leave this 'packet of sperm' has a lot to do with hormonal pathways in amphibians. Environmental factors initiate the production of (GnRH) in the brain. The influence of GnRH makes the pituitary to produce gonadotrophins. Gonadotrophins are what make the testes produce testosterone and the follicles to produce progesterone. Testosterone promotes the production of sperm and reproductive behavior in males, and progesterone promotes the maturation of oocytes and ovulation. [1]
Next, a female will pick it up and use the sperm to fertilize her eggs. Despite their cute looks, males may compete with one another to “win the heart” and woe their female. In other instances, some jealous and rejected males may drop their sperm packets to the bottom of the water body in hope that a female will pick up that male's sperm packet by accident. The female will then deposit her eggs on greens, and leave them to hatch. Eggs will hatch after 3-8 weeks. However, the environmental condition may impact the timing of hatching. [3]
Next, a female will pick it up and use the sperm to fertilize her eggs. Despite their cute looks, males may compete with one another to “win the heart” and woe their female. In other instances, some jealous and rejected males may drop their sperm packets to the bottom of the water body in hope that a female will pick up that male's sperm packet by accident. The female will then deposit her eggs on greens, and leave them to hatch. Eggs will hatch after 3-8 weeks. However, the environmental condition may impact the timing of hatching. [3]