1. Explain the importance of reproduction in organisms. Ans: The importance of reproduction in organisms is as follows: Continuation of Species: Reproduction is a biological process through which organisms produce offspring, ensuring the survival and continuity of their species over generations. Maintenance of Population: It helps maintain and increase the population of a species, preventing extinction. Survival of Living Beings: Reproduction is essential for the survival of all living organisms, allowing them to adapt and thrive in changing environments.
2. Describe the process of fertilisation in human beings. Ans: Fertilisation is the process in which the male gamete (sperm) and the female gamete (egg) fuse together to form a zygote. The male reproductive organ, the penis, releases sperms into the female body through the vagina during sexual intercourse. The sperms travel from the vagina, through the uterus, and into the fallopian tubes, where they meet the egg released by the ovary. Fertilisation occurs in the fallopian tube, where the nucleus of the sperm fuses with the nucleus of the egg, resulting in the formation of a zygote. The zygote undergoes rapid cell division to form a cluster of cells called a morula, which develops into an embryo after about five days. The embryo continues to grow and becomes a foetus after approximately eight weeks of development.