Question

• Nancy observed that her plant reproduced when she

cut off a leaf and planted it. Over time, the leaf grew
into a full-grown plant. How is this offspring plant
different from a plant that reproduces when one plant
pollinates another? Explain your answer.
• Kevin has learned about planarians, which are a species
of flatworm. Some of these worms have two methods
of reproduction. A planarian can produce new offspring
by splitting itself and growing new body parts on each
portion. Or it can mate with another planarian to
produce offspring. Kevin believes that both methods of
reproduction will produce offspring that are genetically
identical to the parent. Do you agree? Explain your
answer.

Answer 1

Offspring plants produced from leaf cuttings are genetically identical to the parent plant, while plants that reproduce through pollination result in genetically different offspring. Planarians can reproduce asexually through splitting and sexually through mating, with the former producing genetically identical offspring and the latter leading to genetic variation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The offspring plant that grew from the cut leaf is produced through a type of asexual reproduction called vegetative propagation, specifically through leaf cuttings. In this process, the leaf produces roots and begins to grow into a new plant. This offspring plant is genetically identical to the parent plant because it is a clone.

In contrast, when plants reproduce through pollination, it involves the transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organs of one plant to the female reproductive organs of another plant. This sexual reproduction process results in genetic variation, as the offspring inherit traits from both parent plants. Therefore, the offspring produced through pollination are genetically different from the parent plants.

Regarding planarians, Kevin is correct that a planarian's ability to split and regenerate new body parts will produce offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. This process is called asexual reproduction through fission or regeneration. However, when planarians mate with another planarian, genetic recombination occurs, leading to genetic variation in the offspring. Therefore, offspring produced through sexual reproduction in planarians are not genetically identical to the parents.

Learn more about Plant reproduction