CBSE Class 10 Answered

A spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plants, algae, fungi and some protozoans.

Spores are usually haploid and unicellular and are produced by meiosis. Once conditions are favorable, the spore can develop into a new organism using mitotic division. This helps the organism to tide over the unfavorable conditions.

Spores are very effective, because they are small and light, and so can be carried by wind, water or animals; so they can travel far away from the parent, perhaps to better conditions. Some spores have thick walls which can give them protection against unfavourable conditions. Because the spores are so small, the organism can afford to release more of them, so there will be more spores surviving. Spores are less subject to animal predation than seeds because they contain almost no food reserve. Their chief advantage is that, of all forms of progeny, spores require the least energy and materials to produce.