Question

Reproduction is synonymous with growth in?
A. Most of the fungi and planarian
B. Desmids, diatoms and Protozoans
C. Cyanobacteria, fungi and mosses
D. Mosses, algae and Hydra

Answer 1

Hint: Growth, reproduction, ability to sense the environment etc. are unique features of living organisms. Reproduction refers to the process in which new offspring is produced from the parent whereas when we talk about growth we mean increase in cell count or number.

Complete answer:
All living organisms grow. Increase in mass and number of an individual are twin characteristics of growth. A multi - cellular organism grows by the process of cell division whereas in plants growth by cell division occurs continuously throughout their life but in animals it occurs for a certain age.
Reproduction is a characteristic of living organisms. In a multi - cellular organism, reproduction refers to the production of progeny possessing features more or less similar to those of parents. Invariably and implicitly we refer to sexual reproduction. Organisms reproduce by asexual means also. Fungi multiply and spread easily due to the million of asexual spores they reproduce. In lower organisms like yeast and Hydra, they reproduce by reproduction.
When we come to unicellular organisms like bacteria, unicellular algae, desmids, Protozoa reproduction is synonymous with growth, i.e., increase in the number of cells. Protozoa, golden algae (desmids), are found in fresh water as in marine environments. We can use growth and reproduction for them because reproduction is a way to make new organisms grow

So, the correct answer is option B) Desmids, diatoms and Protozoans.

Note-
Living organisms grow as well as reproduce. Growth is a way to generate the material for the process of reproduction. Non – living things are even capable of growing. Crystals of certain chemicals, layers of sediment at the bottom of river exhibit growth by accumulation of material on the surface. Similarly, there are organisms that do not reproduce. Hence, growth and reproduction are not the defining characteristic of living organisms.