Question

Read the following statements and select the correct option.

Statement 1: Reproduction cannot be considered as a defining property of living organisms.
Statement 2: There are many living organisms which do not reproduce, e.g., mules, worker bees, etc.

• A. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.
• B. Statement 1 is correct but statement 2 is incorrect.
• C. Statement 1 is incorrect but statement 2 is correct.
• D. Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.

A- Reproduction cannot be considered an inclusive defining characteristics of living organisms of the following. In single celled organism growth and reproduction are synonym as increased in no. of cells is considered as growth as well reproduction. Organisms like mule and liger can't reproduce fertile offspring.

B- Growth is the increase in the number or mass of cells. However, reproduction in case of unicellular organisms is also achieved by an increase in cell number. Thus, growth and reproduction are synonymous and cannot be the distinguishing factor. Moreover, there are many organisms such as worker bees, mules, infertile human couples that cannot reproduce.

So, the correct option is ' Both statements 1 and 2 are correct'.