Class 9 Science Chapter 11 Reproduction: How Life Continues – Extra Questions with Answers

Chapter 11 covers reproduction across both plants and humans, from pollination and seed dispersal to fertilisation in the fallopian tube and the human menstrual cycle, and these extra questions test that range.

Last Updated: September 23, 2026

Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark)

Q1. What is pollination?
Ans: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a flower.

Q2. Where are sperm produced in the human male?
Ans: Testes.

Q3. What structure in the female reproductive system is the usual site of fertilisation?
Ans: Fallopian tube.

Q4. What is the average length of the human menstrual cycle?
Ans: About 28 days.

Q5. Name one method of seed dispersal.
Ans: Wind (water, animals, or explosive mechanisms also acceptable).

Short Answer Questions (2–3 marks)

Q6. Explain why seed dispersal is important for a plant’s survival, giving one reason.
Ans: Seed dispersal reduces competition between the parent plant and its offspring for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients, and allows the species to colonise new areas, improving the overall chances of survival for at least some of the seeds.

Q7. Describe the journey of an egg from ovulation to implantation, assuming fertilisation occurs.
Ans: An egg is released from the ovary during ovulation, travels into the fallopian tube where it may be fertilised by a sperm to form a zygote, which then continues moving toward the uterus, dividing as it goes, and eventually implants itself into the thickened lining of the uterus to begin developing into an embryo.

Q8. Why are birth control methods considered important for reproductive health, beyond just preventing pregnancy?
Ans: Some birth control methods, such as condoms, also help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, in addition to preventing unintended pregnancy, making them important for overall reproductive and general health, not just family planning.

Higher-Order Thinking / Application Questions

Q9. A plant produces brightly coloured, sweet-smelling flowers with sticky pollen, while another plant produces small, dull, odourless flowers with light, powdery pollen produced in huge quantities. Identify the likely pollination agent for each and explain your reasoning.
Ans: The plant with bright, sweet-smelling flowers and sticky pollen is likely insect-pollinated, since these features (colour, scent, sticky pollen that clings to insects) attract and use pollinating insects. The plant with small, dull, odourless flowers and light, abundant, powdery pollen is likely wind-pollinated, since it doesn’t need to attract anything and relies on producing large amounts of easily-airborne pollen to increase the chance some reaches another flower by chance.

Q10. If fertilisation does not occur in a particular menstrual cycle, explain step-by-step what happens to the uterine lining and why this represents an efficient biological response.
Ans: If fertilisation doesn’t occur, the thickened uterine lining that had been prepared to support a potential embryo is no longer needed, so hormonal signals cause it to break down and be shed from the body as menstrual flow; the cycle then restarts, building up a fresh lining in preparation for the next possible fertilisation. This is efficient because the body doesn’t maintain resources (the thickened lining) unnecessarily once it’s clear they won’t be used that cycle, and prepares fresh conditions for the next opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is sexual reproduction considered advantageous for a species despite requiring two parents, compared to asexual reproduction?
Sexual reproduction combines genetic material from two parents, introducing variation among offspring, increasing the chances some individuals have traits suited to survive changing conditions, unlike asexual reproduction which produces identical offspring.

What is the basic difference between external and internal fertilisation in animals?
External fertilisation occurs outside the body, typically in water, while internal fertilisation occurs inside the body of the female, offering the developing embryo greater protection from external conditions.

Written by Satish

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