Question

Parthenogenesis occurs when offspring are produced

a. from a parent's gonad tissue.
b. by a cell dividing into two identical cells.
c. from an unfertilized embryo.
d. from a parent's nonsexual tissue.
e. clonally.

Answer 1

Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction where an embryo develops from an unfertilized egg, leading to offspring that may be haploid or diploid. It is common in certain invertebrates and some vertebrates, allowing reproduction without a male's genetic contribution.

Step-by-step explanation:

​Parthenogenesis occurs when an embryo develops from an unfertilized egg, which is a form of asexual reproduction. The offspring produced through parthenogenesis may be haploid or diploid depending on the species and the process involved. This reproductive strategy is evident in various invertebrates like water fleas, bees, and some ants, as well as in certain vertebrates including some types of fish and reptiles. In haplodiploidy, common in bees and ants, unfertilized eggs develop into haploid males, while fertilized eggs grow into diploid females. Remarkably, some vertebrates, such as the whiptail lizards, can reproduce through parthenogenesis and produce only female offspring without any genetic contribution from a male.