122,048 views
29 votes
29 votes
What are the advantages and disadvantages of reproducing by spores.

User Alex Kreimer
by
3.1k points

1 Answer

22 votes
22 votes

Step-by-step explanation:

These spores can be produced quickly and in large numbers to enable many individual fungi to develop. A disadvantage of these spores is that they generate offspring that are unlikely to be resistant to unfavourable conditions because they are all genetically identical.

Advantages

  • The organism does not need male and female reproductive organs.

  • Organisms do not waste their energy unnecessarily in producing male and female gametes.

  • Large numbers of spores are produced in one sporangium.

  • Spores do not require any medium for dispersal. They are rounded and very light in weight and hence can be easily transferred for germination.
  • Spores are distributed easily by air to far-off places to avoid competition at one place.

  • Spores are covered with thick walls to prevent dehydration under unfavourable conditions.

Disadvantages :

  • A disadvantage is that the spores will be clones of the original organism, leaving them vulnerable.
  • Spore reproduction is quick and multiplies many at once, hence the population will increase and survival chances are high.
  • They remain dormant till favourable conditions are available
  • . As they are light, they can be carried by wind and hence can start growing in different regions
User Manish Malviya
by
2.9k points