Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction is quite a bit more complex than asexual, even if you don't consider meiosis. For one, you can't just divide yourself, grow a bump or throw a vine; beings that reproduce sexually have to attract another organism somehow, so that they get close enough to mix their DNA.
Makes sense, right? Even things that don't walk around, like trees, roses and carrots, still have to produce a scent that is attractive, and a nice shape and colour to make their genetic material stand out, so pollinators will come and help.
But for things that can walk, sexual reproduction often can get pretty complicated. How do you make sure you attract a mate that is strong and has the right qualities? It turns out that the vast majority of sexual reproduction requires some sort of mating ritual, which is a way organisms can determine if their mate is worthy or not.
Take the Western grebes from Salmon Arm, B.C., for instance. Imagine a female grebe; she is trying to find the right mate. Laying an egg is very difficult. Like all birds, the egg-laying process leeches the calcium and nutrients from her body, it can be painful and it requires time and dedication for the chick to grow. This is why they would not want to waste time and effort to mix their DNA with a weak or sickly animal.
Enter the rushing ceremony, which is how a pair of grebes start their mating ritual. They progress with a complex set of behaviours which includes picking weeds and dancing with them in their beaks, as well as many rounds of copying each other's behaviour.
Makes sense, right? Even things that don't walk around, like trees, roses and carrots, still have to produce a scent that is attractive, and a nice shape and colour to make their genetic material stand out, so pollinators will come and help.
But for things that can walk, sexual reproduction often can get pretty complicated. How do you make sure you attract a mate that is strong and has the right qualities? It turns out that the vast majority of sexual reproduction requires some sort of mating ritual, which is a way organisms can determine if their mate is worthy or not.
Take the Western grebes from Salmon Arm, B.C., for instance. Imagine a female grebe; she is trying to find the right mate. Laying an egg is very difficult. Like all birds, the egg-laying process leeches the calcium and nutrients from her body, it can be painful and it requires time and dedication for the chick to grow. This is why they would not want to waste time and effort to mix their DNA with a weak or sickly animal.
Enter the rushing ceremony, which is how a pair of grebes start their mating ritual. They progress with a complex set of behaviours which includes picking weeds and dancing with them in their beaks, as well as many rounds of copying each other's behaviour.
This maraton run is also performed by males, in groups of two or three. In this premating ritual, it is believed that the males are either competing for the female, or rehearsing to make sure they are able to do the ritual. It seems like the weaker grebes give up after a while, so it may be that this is a display of strength for the females.
All of this ceremony makes it more likely that the mating will be successful and that the offspring will be strong and survive.
Let's take a look at the mechanics of Sexual Reproduction!
All of this ceremony makes it more likely that the mating will be successful and that the offspring will be strong and survive.
Let's take a look at the mechanics of Sexual Reproduction!
| sexual_reproduction.pdf |
