The modes by which various organisms reproduce depend on the body design of the organisms. In asexual reproduction, a single individual parent produces offsprings without the involvement of gametes. This method is a common means of increasing the offsprings rapidly under favourable conditions. Asexual reproduction occurs mostly in unicellular organisms, some plants and certain simple multicellular animals.

(a) State the name of the organism in which binary fission takes place in a definite orientation. Also name the disease caused by this organism. (1 mark)

(b) List any two advantages of producing plants through vegetative propagation. (1 mark)

(c) (i) Explain the process of budding in Hydra. (2 marks)

OR

(ii) What happens when (I) a spirogyra filament matures and attains a considerable length, and (II) a sporangia in Rhizopus bursts on maturation? (2 marks)

(a) The organism in which binary fission takes place in a definite orientation is Leishmania. The disease caused by this organism is kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis).

(b) Two advantages of producing plants through vegetative propagation are:

1. Earlier Flowering and Fruiting: Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds.
2. Propagation of Seedless Plants: It makes possible the propagation of plants such as banana, orange, rose, and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds.

(Alternative: All plants produced are genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics.)

(c) (i) Budding in Hydra:

• Hydra uses regenerative cells for reproduction in the process of budding.
• A bud develops as an outgrowth due to repeated cell division at one specific site on the parent body.
• This bud gradually develops into a tiny individual.
• Once fully mature, the miniature individual detaches from the parent body and becomes a new independent organism.

OR

(c) (ii)

• (I) When a Spirogyra filament matures: It simply breaks up into smaller pieces or fragments. These fragments then grow and develop into new, complete individuals.
• (II) When a sporangia in Rhizopus bursts on maturation: It releases numerous tiny, round spores into the air. These spores are covered by thick protective walls that help them survive unfavorable conditions. When they land on a suitable moist surface, they germinate and grow into new Rhizopus individuals.