Question

Why do frogs produce a large number of gametes? Explain the life cycle of a frog

Answer 1

Hint: The reproductive cells of an organism are known as a gamete. They are also named as sex cells. Female gamete cells are known as eggs and male gamete cells are called sperms.

Complete answer:
Gametes are haploid cells, and each cell contains just one copy of each chromosome. These reproductive cells are formed by a form of cell division called meiosis.
A frog is an aquatic organism. Frogs undergo an external fertilization process. Due to which eggs are fertilized outside the body of the frog. It lays hundreds of eggs which shows an external mode of reproduction. The first reason for this is that the single egg is so tiny in size that it would not be possible to remain in a certain position and make it impossible for the sperm to find and fuse. The second reason is, since fertilisation is external, the odds of mortality of the offspring are higher since the parents cannot take care of the young and are killed by different means. Generally, the number of eggs laid is strictly proportional to the likelihood of mortality of the offspring. So to maximise the survival rate, frogs create a lot of gametes.

The life cycle of a frog:
The life cycle of a frog is made up of three stages namely egg, larva and adult. As the frog develops, it goes through these stages in a phase known as metamorphosis. The frogs lay eggs from which the new frog comes. Eggs can hatch in one to three weeks. Then the tadpole hatches the egg. The tadpole lives in the water and uses the gills to breathe. It does not have legs. Next, the tadpole develops into a froglet which looks almost like a frog. It has legs for jumping and walking. It uses the lungs for breathing oxygen. An adult frog doesn’t have a tail.

Note: Few living organisms like hen have internal fertilization. Since there is very less chance for a failure in the fusion between male and female gametes, they produce one egg at a time.