What is meant by the term vegetative reproduction?
Reveal answer
Asexual reproduction using non-reproductive plant tissues.
Key words: vegetative reproduction
4(a) REPRODUCTION · RECALL
4.7 Asexual reproduction in plants
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What is meant by the term cutting?
Reveal answer
Plant piece induced to develop into a new individual.
Key words: cutting
What is meant by the term explant?
Reveal answer
Small piece of plant tissue used to start tissue culture.
Key words: explant
What is meant by the term runner?
Reveal answer
Horizontal stem producing new plantlets at nodes.
Key words: runner
Asexual propagation methods: for Runner, give the starting structure and the use/feature.
Reveal answer
Starting structure: Horizontal stem. Use/feature: Plantlets form at nodes.
Key words: Runner
Asexual propagation methods: for Tuber, give the starting structure and the use/feature.
Reveal answer
Starting structure: Swollen underground stem. Use/feature: Buds grow into shoots.
Key words: Tuber
Asexual propagation methods: for Bulb, give the starting structure and the use/feature.
Reveal answer
Starting structure: Short stem and fleshy leaves. Use/feature: Offsets form new plants.
Key words: Bulb
Asexual propagation methods: for Cutting, give the starting structure and the use/feature.
Reveal answer
Starting structure: Removed stem/leaf piece. Use/feature: Roots and shoots are induced.
Key words: Cutting
Asexual propagation methods: for Tissue culture, give the starting structure and the use/feature.
Reveal answer
Starting structure: Small sterile explant. Use/feature: Rapid large-scale multiplication.
Key words: Tissue culture
True or false, and why? “A potato tuber is a root.”
Reveal answer
False. It is a modified underground stem with buds or eyes.
True or false, and why? “Every plant made from a cutting is mutation-free.”
Reveal answer
False. It is a clone initially, but mutations can still occur.
True or false, and why? “Cloning is always preferable in farming.”
Reveal answer
False. Uniformity improves predictability but reduces genetic resilience.
Name two natural methods of asexual reproduction in plants.
Reveal answer
Runners (e.g. strawberry) and tubers (e.g. potato); bulbs also count.
Key words: runners · tubers
How does a gardener grow a new plant from a cutting?
Reveal answer
Cut a short stem with leaves → put in damp compost (rooting powder helps) → roots grow → new plant.
Key words: roots
Are plants produced by asexual reproduction genetically identical to the parent?
Reveal answer
Yes: they are clones, made by mitosis.
Key words: clones