Question

Reproduction can not be an all-inclusive defining characteristic of living organisms. Do you agree with this statement?

Answer 1

Yes, I agree with this statement. In multicellular organisms, reproduction refers to the production of progeny possessing features more or less similar to those of parents. Invariably and implicitly we refer to sexual reproduction. Organisms reproduce by asexual means also. However, in unicellular organisms like bacteria, Amoeba, etc., reproduction is synonymous with growth, i.e., increase in number of cells. Hence, in single-celled organisms, we are not very clear about the usage of these two terms-growth and reproduction. Further, there are many organisms which do not reproduce (mules, sterile worker bees, infertile human couples, etc.). Hence, reproduction also cannot be an all-inclusive defining characteristic of living organisms.