(i) Name and explain the two modes of asexual reproduction observed in hydra.

(ii) What is vegetative propagation ? List two advantages of using this technique.

(i) Two modes of asexual reproduction observed in Hydra:

1. Budding:

In Hydra*, a bud develops as an outgrowth due to repeated cell division at one specific site on the parent body.

• These buds gradually develop into tiny individuals. When they are fully mature, they detach from the parent body and become new independent individuals.

1. Regeneration:

If a Hydra* is somehow cut or broken into many pieces, each piece has the ability to grow into a complete, fully functional organism.

• This process is carried out by specialised cells that proliferate rapidly to make a large mass of cells. From this mass, different cells undergo changes in an organised sequence (development) to form various cell types and tissues.

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(ii) Vegetative Propagation:

• Definition: It is an asexual mode of reproduction in plants where vegetative parts like the root, stem, and leaves develop into new plants under appropriate environmental conditions.

Advantages of Vegetative Propagation (any two):

1. Earlier Flowering and Fruiting: Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits much 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.
3. Genetic Uniformity: All plants produced are genetically similar enough to the parent plant to retain all of its desirable characteristics.