AQA Biology 4.6.1.1

Sexual and asexual reproduction

One parent or two? Predict whether the offspring will be identical or different, then see why.

Combined Science · Foundation tier

Start here

Cuttings and siblings.

A cutting snipped from a houseplant grows into a new plant. Brothers and sisters grow up in the same family.

If you had to guess, does the new plant from the cutting have one parent, or two?

Two kinds

Pick a kind of reproduction, then predict: will the offspring be identical to each other, or different?

Predict first: identical or different?

Examples

Sexual reproduction involves the joining (fusion) of male and female gametes. The formation of gametes involves meiosis. Tap each example.

How gametes are made: Meiosis.

Think again · a bit different?

“Asexual offspring are a bit different from the parent.”

Your call

Choose

How do offspring from asexual reproduction compare with their parent?

Sort

Place each one.

Tap a card, then tap the box it belongs in. Tap a placed card to take it back.

Command words in this lesson

Key fact

Sexual: gametes fuse, genetic information mixes, offspring vary. Asexual: one parent, no fusion of gametes, only mitosis, offspring are clones.

Key note · AQA 4.6.1.1

Sexual reproduction: fusion of male and female gametes. Sperm and egg cells in animals; pollen and egg cells in flowering plants.
Mixing of genetic information leads to variety in the offspring. Forming gametes involves meiosis.
Asexual reproduction: one parent, no fusion of gametes, no mixing of genetic information.
Asexual offspring are genetically identical clones. Only mitosis is involved.

Photograph this card. Tomorrow, cover it and say each line first.

Mixing up mitosis and meiosis?

Cells and genes are drawn as a model.