Question

Vegetative Reproduction – a form of asexual reproduction in plants in which a modified stem or root of the parent organism grows offspring that stay attached The flower Peonies (see picture left) are an example of a plant that reproduces asexually using a process called vegetative reproduction. This involves growing offspring from a modified stem or root. Peonies grow from thick structures attached to their roots called tubers. These tubers can be broken off from the parent plant and planted elsewhere. A potato is a common example of a tuber. Peonies grown from tubers are identical to their parent. This occurs because the genetic information in the offspring and the parent plant is identical. To understand how this happens, think about a simpler organism like a bacterium. Many bacteria reproduce asexually using a process called binary fission which is shown in the illustration below. 4. Binary fission occurs in four steps: Match the explanation of Binary Fission with what happens during each step. Match the correct step to the image below. (4 points) A. The parent cell divides and splits into two separate daughter cells with identical genetic information. B. The parent cell's genetic information, called DNA, begins to duplicate. C. The DNA goes to the opposite ends of the cell. The cell grows larger and makes a duplicate set of organelles, which are structures needed for the cell to function. D. The nucleus is stretched and the cell starts to divide by pinching in the middle.

Answer 1

Based on the provided explanations of binary fission, here is how each step corresponds with the descriptions:

1. **Step B**: The parent cell's genetic information, called DNA, begins to duplicate.
- This is the initial step where the DNA replication takes place.

2. **Step C**: The DNA goes to the opposite ends of the cell. The cell grows larger and makes a duplicate set of organelles, which are structures needed for the cell to function.
- This step involves the separation of the duplicated DNA and preparation for cell division.

3. **Step D**: The nucleus is stretched and the cell starts to divide by pinching in the middle.
- In this step, the actual process of division begins as the cell prepares to split.

4. **Step A**: The parent cell divides and splits into two separate daughter cells with identical genetic information.
- This is the final step where the division is complete and two identical daughter cells are formed.

So, the matches are:
- **B → Step 1**
- **C → Step 2**
- **D → Step 3**
- **A → Step 4**