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Chapter 8: Problem 10

How does reproduction help in providing stability to populations of species?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Reproduction ensures genetic stability, population maintenance, and adaptation of species over time.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Definition of Reproduction

Reproduction is a biological process that involves the generation of new individuals from the existing population. It ensures the continuation of species.
02

Importance of Genetic Stability

Reproduction allows for the transfer of genetic material from parents to offspring, maintaining the genetic stability and variability critical for adaptation and survival.
03

Role in Population Growth

Reproduction contributes to population growth, replacing individuals lost due to predation, disease, and old age. This ensures that the population size remains stable over time.
04

Adaptation and Evolution

Through reproduction, advantageous traits can be passed on to new generations, aiding in the species' adaptation to changing environments and promoting evolution.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Genetic Stability
Reproduction plays a crucial role in maintaining genetic stability within a population. By allowing the transfer of genetic material from parents to offspring, it ensures that the species' characteristics are preserved. Genetic stability is vital because:
  • It maintains the integrity of the species' gene pool.
  • It helps prevent genetic anomalies and mutations that could be detrimental.
  • Preserves the genetic diversity necessary for the species to thrive in varying environments.
When genetic material is passed down consistently, it helps keep the genetic code of a species stable. This stability is the foundation for healthy populations that can adapt and survive over generations.
Population Growth
Reproduction directly influences population growth. When individuals reproduce, they contribute to the increase in population size. This is essential for replacing individuals who are lost due to various factors such as:
  • Predation
  • Disease
  • Old age
By ensuring a steady influx of new individuals, reproduction maintains the population size. Here are some reasons why population growth is important:
  • It ensures the species does not go extinct.
  • Promotes genetic diversity, which is beneficial for adaptation.
  • Supports ecosystems by maintaining the balance of species.
Population growth keeps the species' numbers stable, fostering a healthy and viable population for the future.
Adaptation and Evolution
Reproduction is the primary mechanism through which species adapt and evolve. When individuals with advantageous traits reproduce, they pass on those traits to their offspring. Over generations, these beneficial traits become more common within the population. This process helps species adapt to changing environments and promotes evolution. Key aspects of adaptation and evolution include:
  • Developing resistance to diseases
  • Improving survival and reproductive success
  • Enhancing the ability to exploit new resources
Through natural selection, favorable traits get preserved and enhanced. This continuous process of reproduction, adaptation, and evolution keeps species dynamic and capable of surviving environmental changes and challenges.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Asexual reproduction takes place through budding in (a) amoeba. (b) yeast. (c) plasmodium. (d) leishmania.

What could be the reasons for adopting contraceptive methods?

Which of the following is not a part of the female reproductive system in human beings? (a) Ovary (b) Uterus (c) Vas deferens (d) Fallopian tube

What are the different methods of contraception?

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