Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction happens in both plants and animals.

Plants
Animals
When a pollen grain lands on a compatible
A sperm cell travels through the female
stigma, a pollen tube grows. The pollen
reproductive system. If ovulation has
tube carries the nucleus of the pollen grain
occurred, an egg will travel from the ovary
from the surface of the flower to the ovule
towards the uterus through the oviduct
where the egg cell is contained. Inside the
(fallopian tube). The sperm meets the egg
ovule, the pollen nucleus and egg cell join
inside the oviduct which is where
in a process called fertilization. A seed will
fertilization happens. The fertilized egg will
now start to develop from the fertilized egg
travel to the uterus where it will develop into
cell.
a baby.

pollen egg
cell

pollen nucleus
travelling to egg cell egg cell sperm cell

The gametes are the cells involved in sexual reproduction.

1. Complete the sentences to name the cells involved in sexual reproduction.
a. The gametes in plants are the and the .
b. The gametes in animals are the and the .
Gametes are formed by meiosis. In sexual reproduction, gametes from two parents combine
during fertilization. This results in the mixing of genetic information from two different parents,
which introduces variation to the offspring. Asexual reproduction only involves one parent. This
means that no gametes are involved and there is no mixing of genetic information. Asexual
reproduction only involves mitosis, and therefore produces genetically identical offspring
(clones).

2. Use the information in the text above to write down five key statements
to remember for each of asexual and sexual reproduction.

Asexual Reproduction
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 Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction

You will need to learn these differences for your exam.

3. Come up with a way to learn the key statements you have written above. You
could make flashcards or a card sort to practice with, write a story or song that
includes the facts or draw a picture or cartoon that reminds you of each one.

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