Photomicrograph Power-up Exercise

Class: Name: ( ) Marks: /10

Human sperms and ovum

Coverage:
Ch 2 The cell as the basic unit of life
Ch 11 Cell cycle and division
Ch 13 Reproduction in humans
Ch 25 Genetics

Photomicrographs I and II show two types of human cells (cells P and Q) that are involved in
human reproduction.

Photomicrograph I - Cell P

(×300)

Photomicrograph II - Cell Q

(×200)

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Level 1

a Explain the difference in the size of cells P and Q. (1 mark)

_________________________________________________________________________
 Human gametes Ch 13 p. 9

b There are a large number of mitochondria in cell P. What is the significance of

mitochondria to the function of cell P? (1 mark)

_________________________________________________________________________
 Subcellular structures Ch 2 p. 25

c Name the process that occurs when cells P and Q meet. State the location where this
process normally occurs. (2 marks)

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
 Human reproduction Ch 13 p. 21

Level 2

d State the number of chromosomes in cells P and Q. Explain the significance of the
chromosome number to human reproduction. (3 marks)

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
 Meiotic cell division Ch 11 p. 19

e With reference to the difference between the chromosomes in cells P and Q, explain why it
is incorrect to say the sex of the offspring is determined by the mother. (3 marks)

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
 Sex determination Ch 25 p. 23

Related DSE questions

Bio 2020 IB Q10
Bio 2019 IA Q12
Bio 2018 IB Q5

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 Answers
a Cell Q is larger than cell P because it contains a lot of food reserves for the early development of the embryo.
1m
b Mitochondria provide energy for cell P to swim. 1m
c Fertilization 1m
In the oviducts 1m
d Both of them contain haploid number of chromosomes, i.e. 23 chromosomes. 1m
This allows the diploid number of chromosomes to be restored after fertilization. 1m
A constant number of chromosomes is preserved from generation to generation. 1m
e There are two types of cell P, one type contains an X chromosome and the other type contains a Y
chromosome. There is only one type of cell Q, which contains an X chromosome. 1m
The sex of the offspring is determined by the type of cell P involved in the fertilization. 1m
As cell P is produced by the father, the sex of the offspring is determined by the father. 1m
(Total: 10 m)

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