Question 1

Females of many insect species, including honeybee queens, can store gametes shed by their mating partners in
A) their nests.
B) the abdominal tract.
C) the cloaca.
D) the uterus.
E) the spermatheca.

Accepted Answer

Females of many insect species, including honeybee queens, store gametes shed by their mating partners in a specialized structure called the spermatheca, located in the abdominal tract. This allows females to fertilize their eggs at a later time, even if they do not mate again.

Question 2

Genetic mutations in asexually reproducing organisms lead to more evolutionary change than do genetic mutations in sexually reproducing ones because
A) asexually reproducing organisms, but not sexually reproducing organisms, pass all mutations on to their offspring.
B) asexually reproducing organisms devote more time and energy to the process of reproduction than do sexually reproducing organisms.
C) sexually reproducing organisms can produce more offspring in a given time than can sexually reproducing organisms.
D) more genetic variation is present in organisms that reproduce asexually than is present in those that reproduce sexually.
E) asexually reproducing organisms have more dominant genes than organisms that reproduce sexually.

Accepted Answer

Asexually reproducing organisms pass all mutations on to their offspring, whereas sexually reproducing organisms only pass on a random half of their mutations to their offspring. This means that genetic mutations in asexual organisms accumulate more quickly and lead to more evolutionary change over time.

Question 3

Sperm cells are stored within human males in the
A) urethra.
B) prostate.
C) epididymis.
D) seminal vesicles.
E) bulbourethral gland.

Accepted Answer

Sperm cells are stored and matured within the epididymis, a coiled tube located on top of the testes in the male reproductive system. The urethra, prostate, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral gland are all involved in the production and transportation of semen, but do not store sperm cells long-term.

Question 4

Sexual reproduction
A) allows animals to conserve resources and reproduce only during optimal conditions.
B) can produce diverse phenotypes that may enhance survival of a population in a changing environment.
C) yields more numerous offspring more rapidly than is possible with asexual reproduction.
D) enables males and females to remain isolated from each other while rapidly colonizing habitats.
E) guarantees that both parents will provide care for each offspring.

Accepted Answer

Sexual reproduction introduces genetic variability into a population, which can increase the likelihood that some individuals will have characteristics that allow them to survive in changing environments.

Question 5

Which of the following patterns of reproduction are found only among invertebrate animals?
A) sexual and asexual reproduction
B) external and internal fertilization
C) hermaphroditism and parthenogenesis
D) pheromonal and hormonal coordination
E) fission and budding

Accepted Answer

Fission (splitting of a parent organism into two or more individuals of approximately equal size) and budding (an outgrowth from a parent organism that develops into a new individual, genetically identical to the parent) are both forms of asexual reproduction that are found only among invertebrate animals. The other patterns of reproduction listed are found in both invertebrates and vertebrates.

Question 6

Among mammals, the male and female genital structures that consist mostly of erectile tissue include the
A) penis and clitoris.
B) vas deferens and oviduct.
C) testes and ovaries.
D) seminiferous tubules and hymen.
E) prostate and ovaries.

Accepted Answer

Both the penis and clitoris are composed primarily of erectile tissue and are involved in sexual arousal and reproduction in mammals. The other structures listed are not primarily composed of erectile tissue and do not have the same function in sexual reproduction.

Question 7

Evidence that parthenogenic whiptail lizards are derived from sexually reproducing ancestors includes
A) the requirement for male-like behaviors in some females before their partners will ovulate.
B) the development and then regression of testes prior to sexual maturation.
C) the observation that all of the offspring are haploid.
D) dependence on favorable weather conditions for ovulation to occur.
E) the persistence of a vestigial penis among some of the females.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Evidence that parthenogenic whiptail lizards are derived...

Question 8

Among nonmammalian vertebrates, the cloaca is an anatomical structure that functions as a
A) specialized sperm-transfer device produced only by males.
B) shared pathway for the digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems.
C) region bordered by the labia minora and clitoris in females.
D) source of nutrients for developing sperm in the testes.
E) gland that secretes mucus to lubricate the vaginal opening.

Accepted Answer

The cloaca is a shared pathway for the digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems in nonmammalian vertebrates. It is a common opening for the urinary, digestive, and reproductive tracts, and serves as a means for the elimination of feces, urine, and reproductive products.

Question 9

Environmental cues that influence the timing of reproduction generally do so by
A) increasing the body temperature.
B) providing access to water for external fertilization.
C) increasing the ambient temperature to that which is comfortable for sex.
D) causing direct effects on gonadal structures.
E) causing direct effects on hormonal control mechanisms.

Accepted Answer

Environmental cues influence the timing of reproduction primarily by affecting hormonal control mechanisms, which regulate reproductive cycles and behaviors.

Question 10

External chemical signals that coordinate potential reproductive partners are called
A) hormones.
B) pheromones.
C) paracrine signals.
D) cytokines.
E) gametes.

Accepted Answer

Pheromones are chemical signals released by an organism that affect the behavior or physiology of another organism of the same species. In the context of potential reproductive partners, pheromones are used to attract or identify suitable mates. Hormones, paracrine signals, and cytokines also play important roles in reproductive processes, but do not specifically coordinate potential partners. Gametes are not external signals, but rather the cells involved in sexual reproduction.

Question 11

Regeneration, the regrowth of lost body parts, normally follows
A) all types of asexual reproduction.
B) all types of sexual reproduction.
C) fission.
D) fragmentation.
E) parthenogenesis.

Accepted Answer

Regeneration typically occurs in organisms capable of fragmentation, where a portion of the organism can regrow a lost body part. Asexual reproduction (choices A and C) does not necessarily involve regeneration, and sexual reproduction (choice B) is not typically associated with regrowth of lost body parts. Parthenogenesis (choice E) refers to the development of an individual from an unfertilized egg, and is not directly related to the process of regeneration.

Question 12

Animals with reproduction dependent on internal fertilization need not have
A) any copulatory organs.
B) a receptacle that receives sperm.
C) behavioral interaction between males and females.
D) internal development of embryos.
E) haploid gametes.

Accepted Answer

Since animals with reproduction dependent on internal fertilization have internal development of embryos, they must have some way of transferring sperm to the female's eggs. This requires some form of copulatory organs, such as a penis or a specialized structure for sperm transfer. Additionally, there must be behavioral interaction between males and females to ensure successful fertilization. Finally, since internal fertilization involves the fusion of haploid gametes, animals with this mode of reproduction must produce these gametes. Therefore, the only option that is not necessary is (A) any copulatory organs.

Question 13

One of the evolutionary "enigmas," or unsolved puzzles, of sexual reproduction is that
A) sexual reproduction allows for more rapid population growth than does asexual reproduction.
B) only half of the offspring from sexually reproducing females are also females.
C) asexual reproduction produces offspring of greater genetic variety.
D) sexual reproduction is completed more rapidly than asexual reproduction.
E) asexual reproduction is better suited to environments with extremely varying conditions.

Accepted Answer

Sexual reproduction results in only half of the offspring from females being female, which at first glance seems less efficient for population growth compared to asexual reproduction, where every individual can produce offspring. This is considered an evolutionary puzzle because it suggests a cost to sexual reproduction in terms of the rate at which a population can grow.

Question 14

Asexual reproduction results in greater reproductive success than does sexual reproduction when
A) pathogens are rapidly diversifying.
B) a species has accumulated numerous deleterious mutations.
C) there is some potential for rapid overpopulation.
D) a species is expanding into diverse geographic settings.
E) a species is in stable and favorable environments.

Accepted Answer

Asexual reproduction can lead to greater reproductive success in stable and favorable environments because all offspring are genetically identical to the parent, which means they are well-suited for the current conditions. Sexual reproduction, on the other hand, generates genetic diversity that may not always be advantageous in a stable and unchanging environment.

Therefore, asexual reproduction is often more beneficial in these environments because it produces high-quality offspring that can efficiently utilize the resources available without competition or the need to adapt to new conditions. Additionally, asexual reproduction ensures that favorable traits are passed on to all offspring, which can lead to more successful population growth and expansion.

Question 15

The junction of the upper vagina and the uterus is called the
A) fallopian tube.
B) clitoris.
C) oviduct.
D) labia majora.
E) cervix.

Accepted Answer

The junction of the upper vagina and the uterus is called the cervix. The fallopian tube (A) is a structure that connects the ovary with the uterus. The clitoris (B) is a highly sensitive sexual organ located at the front of the vulva. The oviduct (C) is another term for the fallopian tube. The labia majora (D) are the outermost folds of skin surrounding the vulva.

Question 16

In close comparisons, external fertilization often yields more offspring than does internal fertilization. However, internal fertilization offers the advantage that
A) it is the only way to ensure the survival of the species.
B) it requires less time and energy to be devoted to reproduction.
C) the smaller number of offspring produced often receive a greater amount of parental investment.
D) it permits the most rapid population increase.
E) it requires expression of fewer genes and maximizes genetic stability.

Accepted Answer

Internal fertilization allows for a smaller number of offspring to be produced, but these offspring often receive a greater amount of parental investment. This can increase their chances of survival and reproductive success, ultimately leading to a greater fitness and evolutionary advantage.

Question 17

An oocyte released from a human ovary enters the oviduct as a result of
A) the beating action of the flagellum on the oocyte.
B) the force of the follicular ejection directing the oocyte into the oviduct.
C) the wavelike beating of cilia lining the oviduct.
D) movement of the oocyte through the pulsating uterus into the oviduct.
E) peristaltic contraction of ovarian muscles.

Accepted Answer

The oocyte is guided into the oviduct primarily by the wavelike beating of cilia that line the oviduct, which helps to move the oocyte in the direction of the uterus.

Question 18

Like many other fishes, bluehead wrasses utilize harem mating as they reproduce sexually. However, unlike most fishes
A) they are simultaneous hermaphrodites.
B) they function without any signaling by steroid hormones.
C) they undergo a prolonged diapause during low tide.
D) their offspring can be either haploid or diploid.
E) large females morph into reproductively competent males.

Accepted Answer

Bluehead wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start off as females and only morph into reproductively competent males when they reach a certain size and social status within the harem. This is a unique feature compared to most other fishes that utilize harem mating for reproduction. None of the other options (A, B, C, and D) describe this characteristic of bluehead wrasses.

Question 19

Sexual reproduction patterns include the example of
A) fragmentation.
B) budding.
C) hermaphroditism.
D) parthenogenesis.
E) fission.

Accepted Answer

Hermaphroditism is an example of sexual reproduction where an organism has both male and female reproductive organs, allowing it to produce both sperm and eggs. Other options listed are examples of asexual reproduction, where offspring are produced without the need for fertilization by another individual of the same species.

Question 20

An advantage of asexual reproduction is that it
A) allows the species to endure long periods of unstable environmental conditions.
B) enhances genetic variability in the species.
C) enables the species to rapidly colonize habitats that are favorable to that species.
D) produces offspring that respond effectively to new pathogens.
E) allows a species to easily rid itself of harmful mutations.

Accepted Answer

Asexual reproduction allows for rapid colonization of favorable habitats since a single individual can produce many offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. This can be an advantage in environments where competition for resources is high, as the species can quickly establish a foothold before others can.

Quiz 36: Reproduction and Development

Females of many insect species, including honeybee queens, can store gametes shed by their mating partners in

Genetic mutations in asexually reproducing organisms lead to more evolutionary change than do genetic mutations in sexually reproducing ones because

Sperm cells are stored within human males in the

Sexual reproduction

Which of the following patterns of reproduction are found only among invertebrate animals?

Among mammals, the male and female genital structures that consist mostly of erectile tissue include the

Evidence that parthenogenic whiptail lizards are derived from sexually reproducing ancestors includes

Among nonmammalian vertebrates, the cloaca is an anatomical structure that functions as a

Environmental cues that influence the timing of reproduction generally do so by

External chemical signals that coordinate potential reproductive partners are called

Regeneration, the regrowth of lost body parts, normally follows

Animals with reproduction dependent on internal fertilization need not have

One of the evolutionary "enigmas," or unsolved puzzles, of sexual reproduction is that

Asexual reproduction results in greater reproductive success than does sexual reproduction when

The junction of the upper vagina and the uterus is called the

In close comparisons, external fertilization often yields more offspring than does internal fertilization. However, internal fertilization offers the advantage that

An oocyte released from a human ovary enters the oviduct as a result of

Like many other fishes, bluehead wrasses utilize harem mating as they reproduce sexually. However, unlike most fishes

Sexual reproduction patterns include the example of

An advantage of asexual reproduction is that it