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How do both birds and reptiles reproduce?

seo-qna
Last updated date: 22nd Mar 2024
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MVSAT 2024
Answer
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Hint: Reproduction is the process through which new organisms or offsprings are produced from the parent organisms. It is a characteristic feature of all living organisms or cells and ensures the continuity of life.

Complete answer:
The vertebrate animals that belong to the Class Aves and are characterized by the- presence of feathers, toothless beaked jaws, hard-shelled eggs are called the birds. They are warm-blooded animals that have a four-chambered heart and a high metabolic rate. All the birds have wings and an adaptive, lightweight skeleton.
The vertebrate animals that belong to the Class Reptilia and are characterized by the- presence of four legs, skins covered with scales or bony plates, soft-shelled eggs are called the reptiles. They are cold-blooded animals that have a three-chambered heart and a temperature-dependent metabolism. They are found in the warm regions, and their body is divided into a head, neck, trunk, and tail.

Both birds and reptiles reproduce sexually and have internal fertilization. They both are oviparous animals. Oviparous animals lay eggs outside the female bodies and the young ones hatch after their expulsion. The embryonic development within the mother’s body is very less or nil. The fertilization can be external as well as internal in oviparous animals, but the development of the young one is always external.
They both have a single opening or exit called Cloaca for the entry of sperms/release of eggs. The cloaca of the female receives sperms from the cloaca of the male. The fertilization of eggs occurs inside the female’s body. After fertilization, the eggs are released from the female cloaca to the atmosphere. They both show many behavioral patterns in their nature and activities before mating.

Birds eggs are hard-shelled and laid in the nests. They make their nests in different shapes and sizes. The eggs of birds are hard-shelled and occur in different shapes, sizes, and colors. A thin membrane surrounds the embryo and the egg is filled with a fluid called the amnion. It also consists of an egg yolk that acts as a good source of proteins and choline.
Reptile eggs are soft-shelled or leathery and are laid on the land or buried underground. Even the aquatic reptiles lay their eggs on the land. The reptile’s eggs constitute albumen, a fibrous shell membrane, and a calcareous layer. They also have a fluid called the amnion inside their eggs. They are symmetrical in shape and are often white in color initially. Some females also build nests to protect their eggs until the time they hatch. Some reptiles also lay hard-shelled eggs like crocodiles.
The development, growth, and protection of the new offspring occur in the eggs of both these organisms until they are ready to be hatched.

Note: All reptiles are not oviparous. Some reptiles are viviparous, which means they give birth to their young ones. Example- Skinks.
Some reptiles are ovoviviparous, which means that the fertilization and development of the embryo occur in the female’s body. The eggs are released from the body when they are fully matured. Example- Snakes.