10/02/2021

Mr Sandro

Reproduction
BIOLOGY 0610 10 CAPI
 10/02/2021

Mr Sandro

Sexual and asexual reproduction

REPRODUCTION 0610 BIOLOGY (2021/22) GRADE 10
Learning aim:
Understand advantages of both sexual and asexual reproduction as way to perpetuate
the species.
Learning objectives of the lesson
• Define the basic characteristics of sexual and asexual reproduction in organisms.
• Describe the advantage of sexual reproduction in terms of gene pool diversity.
• Explain in which circumstances asexual reproduction is advantageous to the species.

Critical thinking question:

“Why are bacteria virtually immortal thanks to asexual reproduction?”
 Asexual reproduction: concept.
Which from these are examples of asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction produces

offspring genetically identical to
parents.

Only one individual is

needed to produce one or
several offspring.
Asexual reproduction: notes.

Asexual reproduction is not only

carried out by unicellular
organisms (like bacteria) but also
pluricellular organisms (like
plants).

State the advantages of asexual

reproduction.

• Only 1 organism needed

• Faster process
• Low amount of time and
energy required
 Tip: What do bacteria need to do
before splitting into two?

Bacteria duplicate all of their cell organelles (I)

and their genetic material (I)
before they divide into two identical daughter
cells (I).

Challenge: Recall how bacteria can increase their genetic diversity

without sexual reproduction.
More examples of asexual reproduction

Plants show many asexual reproduction techniques. Male bees are created after eggs are
fertilised, whereas female bees are created without the fusion of sex cells.
Asexual reproduction: cons.
Asexual reproduction lets wild
species colonize new habitats
very fast.

There are some disadvantages,

can you think of which?

• All organisms are clones: they

show very low genetical
variation.
• All of them are adapted to
very specific conditions.
• Environmental variation
(disease, weather) can
potentially wipe them all out.
 Sexual reproduction: concept and notes.

Sex cells with 50% Fusion of two

genetic material nuclei from Sexual reproduction takes two sex
different parents cells.
New cell made
Link concepts with their definitions:
after fertilization Nucleus that
(2-3 mins)
contains 50%
Nucleus that genetical material • Zygote
contains 100% • Fertilization
genetical material Super condensed • Gametes
portion of genetic • Diploid nucleus
material • Chromosome
• Haploid nucleus
• Sexual reproduction produces a range of unique organisms with different
DNA.
• Their ability to respond to changes will vary between the fittest and weakest
ones.
• Stronger ones adapt better, allowing the species to survive, adapt and evolve.

All these butterflies belong

to the same species. Some
of them would successfully
scare birds and have more
chances of survival.

Which ones?
Asexual and sexual reproduction compared
Task (7 mins): Make a table (CNB or paper NB) comparing both types of reproduction.
Tip: Advantages, disadvantages and examples should be shown.
Challenge: Find organisms that can perform both ways.
Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction
Population adapts to
Low energy required;
Advantages changes because of high
fast.
genetic variation.
Low genetic variation; at Takes longer and more
Disadvantages risk with potential big energy; less offspring
env. changes. produced.
Bacteria, starfish, bulbs,
Vertebrates (humans,
Examples tubers and runners in
birds, fish, …)
plants.
Plenary: plant reproduction and the agricultural industry

How can asexual and sexual

reproduction benefit the
agricultural industry?

• Sexual rep. increases

gene pool, allowing fitter
organisms to exist.
• Asexual rep. makes
replicating organisms
easier and faster.