REPRODUCTION IN VERTEBRATES ESSAY | Life Science Grade 12

REPRODUCTION IN VERTEBRATES ESSAY

Describe how vertebrates reproduce and different strategies of their
reproduction as well as advantages and disadvantages of these strategies
Internal fertilisation – sperm cell fertilise the egg cell inside the female body
❖ Advantage is that it is more controlled which increase the chances of fertilisation
❖ Disadvantage is that there might a transmission of STDs

External fertilisation -sperm cell fertilises the egg cell outside the female body
❖ Advantage is that there is no need for compulsory organ to deposit a male gamete
❖ Disadvantage is that there is less control of over fertilisation
REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES
❖ OVIPORY
❖ Embryo develops outside the mother’s body
❖ Advantage is that more eggs are laid
❖ Disadvantage is that embryo has less amount of protection
❖ VIVIPORY
❖ Embryo develops inside the mother’s body
❖ Advantage is that embryo gets more protection and is nourished
❖ OVIVIPORY
❖ Fertilised egg cell is retained in the mother’s body
❖ Advantage is that embryo gets more protection
❖ And is nourished by the egg yolk
❖ PRECOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
❖ Have well-developed young that can walk and feed themselves soon after birth
❖ ALTRICIAL
❖ Have poorly developed young that can’t walk
❖ Parental care is required as young can’t feed themselves