Question

1. In your own words, describe the advantages of organisms practicing asexual reproduction
versus sexual reproduction.

2. If cells were given chemicals that disrupted the building of the proteins called tubulin, histone, and actin, what reproductive cellular processes would be critically affected.

Answer 1

A. Advantages of organisms practicing asexual reproduction versus sexual reproduction.

1. The method of reproduction produces more no. of offsprings in a favorable environment.

2. There is a rapid rate of reproduction.

3. There are better chances of survival, as there are more no. of offsprings.

4. Only one organism is involved in reproduction and it is an energy-efficient process as organisms don't have to waste their energy in search of a mating partner.

5. Beneficial traits are preserved in the family and are not excluded by chance.

6. There is no requirement of parental care as the offsprings produced is well-developed individuals.

7. It's funny but no investment and energy are required for the process.

8. Last, but not the least the offsprings are exactly identical to the parent involved.

B. If chemicals were given to disrupting the building of tubulin, actin, and histone, then some of the reproductive cellular processes would be affected and those are -

1. Tubulin: The chemicals which inhibit tubulin are taxanes, vinca alkaloids. They stop tubulin to form microtubule formation and inhibit the structure which helps in chromosome alignment and movement of a chromosome. It leads to metaphase arrest and inhibits cell division. It is often referred to as frozen mitosis and is often considered as one of the effective measures for cancer treatment as it directly inhibits cell division.

2. Actin: The chemicals which inhibit actin are cytochalasins, phalloidin, swinholide. The inhibition affects cell division and cytoskeletal system disruption as actin helps to maintain cell shape, cell movement, cell division, vesicle and organelle movement, cell signaling, cytokinesis. It leads to cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. The chemical inhibits actin, some resulting in enhancing depolymerization, preventing polymerization whereas some enhancing polymerization. It is also seen as an effective measure for cancer treatment. Also, cell signaling is blocked, so messages are not delivered to other cells, along with the blockage of vesicular transport which helps in the growth of the cells due to proteins and other substances delivered by vesicles as a vehicle.

3. Histone: The cell cycle is inhibited at Interphase itself. The chromosome if not packaged with histones, will not accommodate in the small place in the nucleus and hence genetic material would not be able to pass on to other cells. The cell division will be blocked at the S phase itself.

There are certain checkpoints during the entire process of cell division cell cycle which keeps a check at abnormalities. Therefore, this process is considered to be effective in cancer treatment as it directly affects cell division - mitosis and meiosis, which is very important in reproductive phases.

I hope this answer helps you!

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