Question

How growth and reproduction are mutually exclusive events

Answer 1

In unicellular organisms growth and reproduction are inclusive events because they grow when they reproduce i.e. when they divide. Binary Fission in amobea for example. While in higher animals growth refers to cell enlargement , cell differentiations leading to formation of different tissues , then organs and whole organism as such . Animals can grow upto a certain age but plants can grow on forever. (If there were no physical and environmental stresses plants can grow on and on and on)

Also , Some animals can have normal body growth but they still can be sterile. This is why growth and reproduction are mutually exclusive events in higher plants and animals