B1: Sexual Reproduction and Asexual Reproduction

Question 1

What does sexual reproduction produce?

Answer 1

Genetically different cells.

Question 2

What is sexual reproduction?

Answer 2

Where genetic information from two organisms is combined to produce offspring which are genetically different to both parents.

Question 3

What does sexual reproduction involve?

Answer 3

• The fusion of male (sperm) and female (egg) gametes- this process is called fertilisation.
• The sperm and egg contain half the normal number of chromosomes than a normal cell and when they combine they make a cell with the normal number of chromosomes. (half from the mother, half from the father)
• The mixture of genetic material produces variation in the offspring.

Question 4

What does asexual reproduction produce?

Answer 4

Genetically identical cells.

Question 5

How does asexual reproduction happen?

Answer 5

1. Each chromosome splits in half to form identical half-chromosomes
2. A membrane forms around each separate set and the DNA replicates itself to form two identical cells with complete sets of x-shaped chromosomes.

Question 6

How do plants and animals use asexual reproduction?

Answer 6

1. For growth
2. To produce replacement cells
3. Some organisms produce offspring using asexual reproduction (bacteria and some plants)

Question 7

What does asexual reproduction involve?

Answer 7

One parent so their offspring are genetically identical to the parent cell- they are clones.