Sexual and asexual reproductionIB MYP Sciences: Subtopic test

1. 1
   A gardener in Kerala grows strawberry plants. Each plant sends out long stems called runners along the ground, and a new plant grows from each runner. Strawberry plants also produce flowers, and when these are pollinated they form fruits that contain seeds.

   (a)

   How many parents are needed to produce a new strawberry plant from a runner?

   [1 mark]

   • ANone
   • BOne
   • CTwo
   • DThree

   (b)

   How do the new plants grown from runners compare with the parent plant?

   [1 mark]

   • AThey are all genetically different
   • BThey have half of the parent's DNA
   • CThey are genetically identical to the parent
   • DThey are unrelated to the parent

   (c)

   Explain why the gardener might prefer to grow strawberry plants from runners rather than from seeds.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A biology teacher in Cairo explains how a baby begins to develop. A sperm cell from the father joins with an egg cell from the mother.

   (a)

   What name is given to sex cells such as sperm and egg cells?

   [1 mark]

   • AZygotes
   • BClones
   • CSpores
   • DGametes

   (b)

   Which type of cell division makes the gametes?

   [1 mark]

   • AMeiosis
   • BMitosis
   • CBinary fission
   • DBudding

   (c)

   Explain why the baby will not be genetically identical to either parent.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A microbiologist in Mexico City observes bacteria in a flask of warm nutrient broth. In ideal conditions, each bacterium divides into two about every 20 minutes.

   (a)

   Describe how bacteria reproduce by binary fission.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of asexual reproduction for the bacteria.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A banana company in Ecuador grows its bananas from cuttings taken from parent plants, so almost every plant on its plantation is genetically identical. The company also runs a nursery that produces new plants of other crops from cuttings.

   (a)

   Nursery staff want to test the hypothesis that rooting powder helps cuttings to grow roots. Plan an investigation. In your answer, state a hypothesis with a scientific reason, identify the variables, and describe a safe method.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Discuss and evaluate the company's decision to grow only genetically identical banana plants. Consider economic, environmental and social implications, and finish with a justified conclusion.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions