Reproduction

Lesson 1: Cell Division

Definition:
Cell division: is a complicated process through which a living cell divides into two
cells for growth and reproduction.

Basic Structure of Human cell:

Chromosomes: They are thread like bodies in the cell nucleus and they represent
the genetic material (DNA Deoxy Ribonucleic Acid) of living organisms.

What's the general structure of the chromosomes?

- Two threads called Chromatids joined together from the middle by a
Centromere.

Number of chromosomes:
- Number of chromosomes differs from one species to another.
- Humans have 46 chromosomes, rabbits have 44 chromosomes, onion plant
has 16 chromosomes.
- Each somatic body cell contains a full number of chromosomes except
reproductive cells have only half the number of chromosomes.

Somatic cells Reproductive cells

All body cells except reproductive Gametes : Sperms in males
cells e.g. skin, liver, heart Ova in females
Contains a full set of chromosomes Contains half the number of
chromosomes in the somatic cells
Diploid (2n) Haploid (n)
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Why do Reproductive cells have only half the number of chromosomes in the
somatic cells?
During fertilization process the sperm containing (n) chromosomes combines with an
ovum containing (n) chromosomes to produce a Zygote containing (2n)
chromosomes just like his parents.

How do babies grow to become adults and how does your body repair a
damaged tissue?
Both growth and repair of damaged cells happens by cell division where the cell
divides to produce to cells similar to each other.

Mention the importance of Chromosomes:

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What are the types of cell division that happen in the human body?
There are two types of cell division that happen in the human body which are:
1. Somatic cells divide by a cell division called Mitosis cell division
2. Reproductive cells divide by a cell division called Meiosis cell division

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 Mitosis cell division

Definition: It's a kind of cell division that occurs in somatic cells and leads to
growth and compensation of damaged cells.

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 Meiosis cell division

Definition: It's a kind of cell division that occurs in reproductive cells and
leads to formation of male and female gametes to complete sexual
reproduction.

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 Reproduction
Lesson 2: Animal Reproduction

Definition:

Reproduction is a biological process where living organisms produce new

individuals of the same kind to ensure their continuity and prevent them from
extinction.

Sexual reproduction:
- A process by which living organisms produce new individuals with
different genetic traits from their parents.
- It involves two main processes:
1. Gametes formation: formation of Ova and sperms by Meiosis each
gamete contains (n) chromosomes.
2. Fertilization: Combination of male and female gametes forming a
zygote of (2n) chromosomes containing genetic material from each
parent.

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Internal and External fertilization:

1. External fertilization: When the sperm fertilizes the egg (ovum) outside the
female's body. This must take place in a moist environment so that the
zygote won't dry out. E.g. Clownfish and frogs.
2. Internal fertilization: When the sperm fertilizes the egg inside the female
body. The female protects the developing zygote inside her body until a
certain development stage for e.g.
- Chickens lay eggs after they have been fertilized internally.
- Most mammals give birth to young that are well developed e.g.
Young Zebras can stand up and nurse almost immediately after birth.

Asexual reproduction
- It's a process by which living organisms produce new individuals with
genetic traits identical to the parent.
- A major advantage of asexual reproduction is that it doesn't require a
mate i.e. it occurs by only one living organism (unicellular organisms or
primitive multicellular organisms).
- It is completed by Mitosis cell division.

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 Types of Asexual reproduction
Binary Fission Budding Regeneration
Occurs in: Occurs in: Occurs in:
Unicellular organisms Unicellular organisms Multicellular organisms
e.g. e.g. Yeast Fungus e.g. Starfish
* Unicellular protozoans (Ameoba, Paramecium,
Euglena) Multicellular organisms
* Simple Algea and bacteria e.g. Hydra and Sponges
Occurs by: Occurs by: Reproduction by Regeneration
Mitosis division Mitosis division regeneration

1-The nucleus divides by Mitosis and the cell 1-Abud emerges as a lateral bulge in the cell. Occurs by: Occurs by:
splits into two cells. 2-The nucleus divides by Mitosis into two Mitosis Mitosis
2-Each cell grows and becomes a new individual nuclei, one of them remains in the parent cell
identical to the parent cell. and the other migrate to the bud. The missing part can grow The part of the
3-The bud grows and remains connected to forming a complete animal animal can form a
the parent cell until full growth where it if it contains part of the new arm.
either remain connected forming a colony or central disc.
separates and becomes a new fungus
Definition: Definition: Definition: Definition:
It’s a type of asexual reproduction where the It’s a type of asexual reproduction that It’s the ability of the It’s the ability of an
nucleus divides mitotically, then the cell splits into produces new individuals by formation of missing part of an organism animal to
two identical cells buds in the parent cell to grow forming a complete compensate their
organism identical to the missing parts
parent individual

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