Q12
3 marksShort AnswerSection A

Define reproduction. How does it help in providing stability to the population of species?

Also asked in:2016
How do Organisms Reproduce?
Importance of Reproduction and Variation
Official Answer

Definition of Reproduction

Reproduction is the biological process by which living organisms produce new individuals (offspring) that look very much like themselves, ensuring the continuation of their species.


How Reproduction Provides Stability to Populations

  1. Niche Occupation: Populations of organisms use their reproductive ability to fill well-defined places or niches in the ecosystem.
  2. Consistency of Body Design: The consistency of DNA copying during reproduction is crucial for maintaining the specific body design features that allow a species to survive and function in its particular niche.
  3. Population Maintenance: By continuously replacing dying individuals with new ones of similar body designs, reproduction maintains the stability and continuity of the population of a species over time.
ReproductionDNA copyingNichesBody designStability of populations

Marking Scheme

  • 1Definition of reproduction (creating new individuals similar to parents) (1 mark)
  • 2Explanation of how DNA copying maintains body design features suited to a specific niche (1 mark)
  • 3Explanation of how replacing individuals maintains the stability of the population (1 mark)

Hint

Think about how organisms maintain their body designs across generations to survive in their specific ecological niches.

Quick Oral Answer

Reproduction is the process of creating new individuals of the same species. It provides stability to a population because consistent DNA copying ensures that offspring inherit the specific body designs needed to survive in their ecological niches.

Analysis & Explanation

Reproduction is not essential for the survival of an individual organism (unlike nutrition, respiration, or excretion), but it is vital for the survival of a species. The core of reproduction is DNA copying. Because DNA contains the blueprints for body designs, highly consistent DNA copying ensures that offspring inherit the exact body designs suited to their ecological niches. This consistency prevents the population from losing its defining characteristics, thereby providing stability to the species population in an ecosystem.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Confusing reproduction as an essential life process required for an individual's survival.
  2. 2Failing to link DNA copying consistency with the maintenance of body design in a specific niche.

Interesting Facts

While an individual spends a massive amount of its personal energy on reproduction, the process is entirely geared toward the survival of the species rather than the individual itself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2016?

This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "How do Organisms Reproduce?" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Importance of Reproduction and Variation" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

Has this question appeared in other CBSE Science papers?

Yes, a similar question appeared in the 2016 CBSE Class 10 Science paper.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper?

This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper.