6.1.2

Reproduction 2

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Meiosis and Mitosis

Sexual reproduction is the fusion (joining together) of male and female gametes. Cells in reproductive organs divide by meiosis to create gametes. Gametes contain half of the number of chromosomes (containing DNA) found in all body cells.

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Cells split

  • Each cell has a pair of each chromosome (diploid cell).
  • During meiosis each pair of chromosomes replicate and the cell splits in two.
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Further cell splitting

  • There are now two identical cells.
  • The diploid cell divides again.
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Haploid cells created

  • This creates four genetically different gametes that each have half the number of chromosomes that are found in the parent cell.
    • Cells that have only one copy of each chromosome (such as gametes) are called haploid cells.
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Gametes fertilise

  • During sexual reproduction, the male gamete fertilises the female gamete and the fertilised cell now has the normal number of chromosomes (46 in humans).
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Mitosis

  • Once the gametes have combined, the new cell divides by mitosis (the cell grows asexually).
  • As soon as the embryo reaches a certain size, cells begin to differentiate (specialise).

Advantages of Sexual Reproduction

Some organisms can reproduce sexually or asexually. Fungi, malaria parasites and strawberry plants can all do this.

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Variation in offspring

  • Variation in the offspring increases the chances of a population being able to survive environmental change by natural selection.
  • This is because some individuals are likely to be adapted to the new conditions.
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Artificial selection

  • Humans can speed up artificial selection through selective breeding of plants and animals.
  • This depends on genetic variation.
  • This process has many benefits, including boosting food production and breeding fast horses.

Advantages of Asexual Reproduction

If an organism can reproduce sexually or asexually, it often reproduces asexually when conditions are good. Advantages of asexual reproduction are:

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Faster

  • Asexual reproduction is faster than sexual reproduction.
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No mate

  • No mate is required. Therefore, asexual reproduction is more efficient with regards to time and energy.
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Lots of identical offspring

  • If conditions are favourable, producing lots of identical offspring is positive.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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