In rotifers and honey bees, the formation of new organism takes place without fertilization. This phenomenon is called _____.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → parthenogenesis
Option (3) parthenogenesis — Correct. In some organisms such as rotifers, honeybees, some lizards and birds (turkey), the female gamete undergoes development to form new organisms without fertilisation. This is called parthenogenesis.
Note: This question is from Chapter 1, Reproduction in Organisms, of the pre-rationalised NCERT book. This chapter is not in the present NCERT book (2026-27). The extract below is from the pre-rationalised edition.
NCERT Extract (Pre-rationalised edition, Chapter 1, Reproduction in Organisms):
Fertilisation – “… However, it has to be mentioned here that in some organisms like rotifers, honeybees and even some lizards and birds (turkey), the female gamete undergoes development to form new organisms without fertilisation. This phenomenon is called parthenogenesis.”