Last Updated: 11 May 2026
‘How Do Organisms Reproduce’ is a high-yield CBSE Class 10 Science chapter — contributing 5-7 marks every year through MCQs, short answer and diagram-labelling questions. With CBSE 2027 placing 30% MCQs in Section A, mastering NCERT diagrams here is non-negotiable.
Modes of Reproduction
| Type | Example | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Fission | Amoeba (binary), Plasmodium (multiple) | Parent splits into two/many |
| Budding | Hydra, Yeast | Outgrowth becomes new individual |
| Fragmentation | Spirogyra | Body breaks; each fragment grows |
| Regeneration | Planaria | Whole organism from cut parts |
| Spore formation | Rhizopus, Mucor | Sporangia release spores |
| Vegetative | Leaf (Bryophyllum), Root (Sweet potato), Stem (Potato eyes) | Asexual via non-reproductive parts |
Sexual Reproduction in Plants
Parts of a Flower
- Sepal — protect bud
- Petal — attract pollinators
- Stamen (Male) — Anther + Filament; produces pollen
- Carpel/Pistil (Female) — Stigma + Style + Ovary; ovary contains ovules
Pollination
- Self-pollination: same flower or same plant
- Cross-pollination: different plant — via wind, water, insects, birds
Fertilisation
Pollen + Egg → Zygote → Embryo. Ovary → Fruit; Ovules → Seeds.
Reproduction in Humans
Male Reproductive System
- Testes: produce sperms; also testosterone
- Vas deferens: sperm transport
- Seminal vesicle + prostate: secretions to nourish sperms
- Urethra: common passage for urine and semen
Female Reproductive System
- Ovaries: produce eggs (ova) and oestrogen + progesterone
- Fallopian tubes: fertilisation site
- Uterus: implantation, embryonic development
- Vagina: birth canal
Menstrual Cycle
- 28-day cycle: menstruation (1-5) → follicular (6-13) → ovulation (14) → luteal (15-28)
- If fertilisation happens — pregnancy; if not — menstruation begins again
Birth Control Methods
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Barrier | Condom, diaphragm |
| Chemical | OCPs (oral contraceptive pills) |
| IUCD | Copper-T, Multiload-375 |
| Surgical | Vasectomy, Tubectomy |
Reproductive Health
- STDs: AIDS, gonorrhoea, syphilis
- Importance of education, MTP Act, awareness
NCERT Diagrams to Master
- Binary fission in Amoeba (Fig 8.1)
- Budding in Hydra (Fig 8.2)
- Spore formation in Rhizopus (Fig 8.5)
- Longitudinal section of flower (Fig 8.10)
- Human male reproductive system (Fig 8.11)
- Human female reproductive system (Fig 8.12)
Internal Links
FAQ
Average marks from Chapter 8?
5-7 marks (1 MCQ + 1 short answer + 1 long answer with diagram).
Most-asked diagram?
Human male/female reproductive system; flower longitudinal section.
Is birth control directly asked?
Yes — usually a 2-mark question listing methods or evaluating one method.
Practice Quiz
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