Abstract
Research shows that the invertebrates can undergo both asexual and sexual reproduction, for example, the case with the female copperhead snake. Various studies took place to explore the instances that commonly occur in snakes and lizards, whereby the organisms reproduce through the process of parthenogenesis. The essay will entail an analysis of the processes of asexual and sexual reproduction, about the genetic diversity. In particular, a strong relationship exists between the processes of cell division with the common genetic diversity that exists among organisms. Additionally, there will be an analysis of the processes of cell division, and most specifically mitosis and meiosis. Such processes tend to play a significant role in the increase of the genetic diversity, and the entire process of the creation of unique communities of organisms. Most specifically, the relation of meiosis with the genetic diversity will entail its contribution in aiding the processes of genetic diversity among organisms of the same species.
Key words: parthenogenesis, genetic diversity, meiosis, chromosomes
Introduction
The most appropriate technique to study parthenogenesis in snakes like the copperhead female is DNA analysis. The testing of this method with the Vipers took place, and it is evident that it can serve the purpose better in determining the various forms of reproduction in invertebrates (Plomin, DeFries, Knopik, & Neiderheiser, 2013). The method is appropriate because it offers the opportunity for a detailed exploration of the various aspects of the forms of reproduction, through the genetic identification of the various species of snakes and other invertebrates.
Genetic Diversity
Asexual reproduction is the process that results in offspring whose genetic make-up is identical to that of the parent. It involves cell division like in bacteria and archaea. Cell division is also known as mitosis involves diploid cells (Plomin et al., 2013). In particular, the diploid cells have two chromosomes, and the process of replication leads to the reproduction of new cells.
Therefore, reproduction in snakes varies based on their genetic diversity. The genetic variation among organisms needs to exist via the process of natural selection because ecosystems are dynamic (Plomin et al., 2013). As a result, a single variation of the environmental parameters can lead to complete extinction of a species.
On the other hand, sexual reproduction combines a haploid cell from different organisms to generate a diploid zygote. The process of cell division responsible for the combination of haploid cells is famous as meiosis (Plomin et al., 2013). Therefore, the zygote will have a combination of genes from the two different parents and will grow as a hybrid of the two parents regarding the genetic make-up. The combination of the traits from both parents will cause the offspring to be adaptable to a given environment compared to either of the parents. Additionally, through the sexual reproduction, the species will be able to maintain its genetic variation, hence creating a unique group of offspring as the next generation. Therefore, asexually reproducing snakes may comprise entirely of clones and have no or significantly little genetic diversity.
Based on Gregor Mendel’s ideas, Meiosis is a process that involves the overlap, breakage as well as the recombination of chromosomes before the cell division process is complete. The process is famous as a crossover, and it leads to the generation of combined genes within the daughter cells that are haploid (Plomin et al., 2013). Every haploid cell that comes from the parent comprises of half of the genetic properties from the parent.
Furthermore, the meiosis is common in eukaryotic organisms. Ideally, it tends to increase the genetic diversity of any given species. The process allows the intermixture of the genes from both parents is hence leading to the formation of a chromosome that has a different genetic complement (Plomin et al., 2013). Therefore, the shuffling of the genetic deck will lead to a new combination of the maternal as well as the paternal chromosomes in the meiosis II phase. In so doing, there will result in a very diverse genetic variation between organisms of the same species.
Additionally, during the second phase of meiosis (meiosis II), the sister chromatids disintegrate, and they distribute randomly to the respective daughter cells. The crossing over the process that occurs in MeiosisI generates non-identical chromatids in the second phase of meiosis, meiosis II (Plomin et al., 2013). Therefore, in the anaphase stage of meiosis II, there is the dissolution of the centromere, a process that leads to the formation of two chromosomes of each type.
Finally, in the process, the resultant chromosomes will follow a random mechanism in the selection of their destined gametes. Therefore, every gamete is a unique convergence of the genetic material (Plomin et al., 2013). While fertilization is not a section of meiosis, it depends on it for the generation of haploid cells. The restoration of the diploid number occurs through the combination of the haploid cells. Therefore, meiosis is a mechanism that will increase genetic diversity among organisms.
References
Plomin, R., DeFries, J. C., Knopik, V. S., & Neiderheiser, J. (2013). Behavioral genetics. Palgrave Macmillan.
