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Reproduction In Plants And Humans

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Lesson notes

Asexual Reproduction

  • Asexual reproduction does not involve sex cells or fertilisation.
  • Only one parent is required; offspring are genetically identical (clones).
  • Examples: bacteria (binary fission), plants (bulbs, tubers, runners).
  • Advantage in crops: desirable traits (high yield, disease resistance) are preserved.

Binary fission in bacteria

Sexual Reproduction

  • Sexual reproduction involves fusion of nuclei of two gametes to form a zygote.
  • Offspring are genetically different from each other and from parents.
  • Gamete nuclei are haploid (half chromosome number; in humans, 23).
  • Zygote nucleus is diploid (full chromosome number; in humans, 23 pairs).
  • Sexual reproduction increases genetic variation in a population.

Haploid and diploid cells

Sexual Reproduction in Plants

  • Flowers are the reproductive organs; male parts produce pollen (male gamete), female parts contain ovules (female gamete).
  • Pollination is transfer of pollen from anther to stigma; can be insect or wind.
  • Fertilisation occurs when a pollen nucleus fuses with an ovule nucleus, forming a zygote that develops into a seed.
  • Insect-pollinated flowers: large, scented petals, sticky pollen, nectar guides.
  • Wind-pollinated flowers: small, dull petals, long filaments, feathery stigmas, light pollen.
  • Germination requires water, oxygen, and suitable temperature; carbon dioxide is not needed.

Structure of an insect-pollinated flower

Sexual Reproduction in Humans

  • Male reproductive system: testes produce sperm; sperm duct, seminal vesicle, urethra, penis.
  • Female reproductive system: ovaries produce eggs; oviduct (fallopian tube), uterus, cervix, vagina.
  • Fertilisation occurs in the oviduct; sperm and egg nuclei fuse to form a zygote.
  • Sperm adapted: tail for movement, many mitochondria for energy, acrosome for penetrating egg.
  • Egg adapted: large cytoplasm with nutrients, jelly coat to prevent multiple sperm entry.

A sperm cell and an egg cell

Sexual Hormones in Humans

  • Testosterone (male) and oestrogen (female) control secondary sexual characteristics during puberty.
  • Female secondary characteristics: breast development, widening of hips, onset of menstruation.
  • Male secondary characteristics: deepening of voice, growth of facial/body hair, muscle growth.
  • The menstrual cycle averages 28 days; ovulation occurs around day 14.
  • If fertilisation does not occur, the uterus lining breaks down (menstruation).

Changes to the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle

Sexually Transmitted Infections

  • STIs are passed via exchange of body fluids during unprotected sex.
  • HIV is a viral STI that attacks the immune system, leading to AIDS.
  • HIV spreads through unprotected sex, sharing needles, blood transfusions, mother to fetus/breastfeeding.
  • Prevention: use condoms, get tested, avoid needle sharing, screen during pregnancy.

Slides

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Practice questions

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  1. 1.Which of the following is a characteristic of asexual reproduction?

    Easy
    • AInvolves fusion of gametes
    • BOffspring are genetically identical to the parent
    • CRequires two parents
    • DIncreases genetic variation
  2. 2.Name the process by which bacteria reproduce asexually.

    Easy
  3. 3.Which part of a flower contains the female gamete?

    Easy
    • AAnther
    • BStigma
    • COvule
    • DFilament
  4. 4.Complete the sentence: In sexual reproduction, the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes forms a ______.

    Easy

    In sexual reproduction, the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes forms a ____.

  5. 5.Pollination is the transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma.

    Easy

    True or false?

  6. 6.State two adaptations of wind-pollinated flowers.

    Medium
  7. 7.How many chromosomes are present in a human sperm cell?

    Easy
    • A23
    • B21
    • C27
    • D25
  8. 8.Where does fertilisation occur in the human female reproductive system?

    Easy
    • AOvary
    • BUterus
    • COviduct
    • DVagina

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