Lab Activity 2.3
Asexual Reproduction

  Directions

Study the instructional material below. Be sure to click on each of the photographs for an enlarged view in a separate window. The larger version is necessary to complete the assignment. It opens in a separate window which can be resized by grabbing the bottom right corner and dragging it. It can also be moved by grabbing the top heading bar and dragging it. Be sure to close the extra window by using the X in IBM, or the close box in MAC when you are finished using them.

  Introduction


Marine organisms have evolved a variety of ways to produce offspring. Some of these involve only one parent and are thereby asexual (do not include sex). Asexual reproduction produces new individuals without genetic recombination resulting in the formation of clones. Each member of a clone is genetically identical to its parent and to the other members of its clone. Asexual reproduction is a rapid process and often a prolific one. Each resulting offspring has the genetic ability to thrive in the environment where its parent flourished.

Top  Instruction

Study the information, photographs, and diagrams of the various aspects of asexual reproduction depicted below. Study the examples and formulate answers to the study questions you're asked.

Be sure to write about what you are learning in the lab section of your notebook. You will be expected to answer questions about the lab activity during the lab self test and lab quiz. It helps to have your text and coloring books open beside you for support.

 
Supporting Information
Refer to the Assigned Readings Below:
Marine Biology Textbook Chapter 4, page 81 to 83
Marine Biology Coloring Book Plates 74 and 76
 
Budding

Budding is a type of asexual reproduction by which a new individual develops from parent tissue. This process is typical of some invertebrate animals. The offspring may grow from the side or base of its parent and may or may not separate from the parent.
Budding Hydra:
  1. We obtained a prepared slide of budding Hydra.
  2. We photographed the parent with its bud under a dissecting microscope.
Study Questions:
  1. Describe the budding Hydra.
  2. What does the bud look like?
  3. Where is the bud located on its parent?
  4. Compare the size and shape of the bud to its parent.

Colonies

Colonies form by budding when the buds do not separate from the parent. From an original ancestral individual a large group of individuals is formed that are all attached to one another by a common flesh. Individuals of a colony may develop specialized features and perform a certain task for the colony. In turn they will benefit from the specialization of other individuals for different tasks.
Colonies of Obelia (left) and Bugula (right):
  1. We obtained a prepared slide of a piece of an Obelia colony (Cnidarian) and photographed the tip of a branch under a dissecting microscope.
  2. We obtained obtained a prepared slide of a piece of a Bugula colony (Lophophorate) and photographed the tip of a branch under a dissecting microscope.
 



Study Questions:

  1. In what ways are the Obelia (left) and Bugula (right) colonies alike?


Lab Activity 2.4 Sexual Reproduction