Reproduction in humans Flashcards
define sexual reproduction
type of reproduction
involves the production of gametes by meiosis
a gamete from each parent fuses to form a zygote
genetic information from each gamete is mixed so the resulting zygote is unique
define the term fertilisation
the fusion of gamete nuclei
what are gametes?
gametes are sex cells such as sperm and eggs in animals and humans
and pollen nucleus and ovum in plants
they contain half the number of chromosomes found in other body cells so they are haploid
how many chromosomes do human gametes contain?
23
half of the normal 46 found in other body cells because they only contain one copy of each chromosomes
define asexual reproduction
type of reproduction
involves mitosis only
produces genetically identical offspring know as daughter cells
how do the offspring look compared to their parents when produced asexualy?
they are genetically identical to the parent as there is no fusion of gametes and no mixing of genetic information
resulting in clones
what are the advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction?
ADVANTAGES
- allows genetic variation in offspring
- which can increase chances of survival in changing environments
- helps in evolution
- disease is less likely to affect offspring due to genetic variation
- natural selection can be speeded up by humans in selective breeding to increase food production
DISADVANTAGES
- takes time and energy to find mates - two parents needed
- difficult for isolated members of the species to reproduce
- fewer offspring are produced as more time and energy is required
what are the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction?
ADVANTAGES
- the population can be increased rapidly when conditions are right
- can take advantages of environments quickly
- only one parent needed
- faster and requires less energy
DISADVANTAGES
- no genetic variation in population, offspring is identical to their parent (except from spontaneous mutations
- The population is vulnerable to changes in conditions and may only be suited for one habitat
- Disease is more likely to affect the whole population as there is no genetic variation
what is meiosis
form of cell division involved in the formation of gametes (non - identical haploid cells) in reproductive organs
chromosome number is halved
involves two divisions
what happens during the stages of meiosis?
chromosome pairs line up along the cell equator (centre of the cell)
the pair of chromosomes are separated and move to opposite poles of the cell
the side to which each chromosome is pulled is random - creating variation
chromosome number is halved
four unique haploid gametes are produced
why is meiosis important for sexual reproduction? (2)
increases genetic variation
it ensures that the zygote formed at fertilisation is diploid
describe fertilisation
gametes join together to have the normal number of chromosomes
the new cell then divides by mitosis (which increases the number of cells)
as the embryo develops cells differentiate
what is DNA?
the genetic material of the cell found in its nucleus
DNA is a polymer made up of two strands which form a double helix
the polymer is made up of monomers called nucleotides which each contain sugar and phosphate molecule as well as a base
what’s a genome?
the entire genetic material of an organism
what is a chromosome?
a long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form of genes
how many chromosomes fo Human body cells have?
46
gametes have 23
define gene
a small section of DNA that codes for protein
each gene codes for a particular sequence of amino acids which make a specific protein
what are alleles?
different versions of the same gene
what is a dominant allele?
a version of a gene where only one copy is needed for it to be expressed
what is a recessive allele?
a version of a gene where 2 copies are needed for it to be expressed
what is meant when an organism is homozygous?
when an organism has two copies of the same allele (2 recessive of 2 dominant
what’s heterozygous?
when an organism has two different versions of the same gene (one dominant and one recessive)
what is a genotype?
the genes present for a trait
what is a phenotype
a visible characteristic