Quick Review -
• Meiosis - division of cells which results in the
production of gametes
• Gametes - also known as sex cells, germ cells,
or spores; cells of sexual reproduction, which
contain only half the chromosomes of a normal cell
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student_view0/[Link]
• Chromosomes - Threadlike bodies found in
the nucleus, or center part, of a cell that carry the
information of heredity.
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Sexual Reproduction
Definition:
1. Process in which two cells, termed gametes, come together to form one fertilized cell that
contains genetic information from both parental cells. [Link]/glossary/
2. Production of offspring whose genetic constitution is a mixture of that of two potentially
genetically different gametes.
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• Q: How many of you have more
than one parent?
– then, everyone in this room is a product of sexual
reproduction
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Characteristics of Sexual Reproduction
• Requires a female and male parent (i.e. it takes
two to tango)
• Q: Why do we need more than 1 parent?
½ + ½ = 1
Characteristics of Sexual Reproduction
• Requires a female and male parent
• Each parent donates ½ of the
Chromosomes/Genes/DNA
• So, by what we’ve discussed, in sexual
reproduction “mom” donates half, and “dad”
donates half. How does this happen?
Characteristics of Sexual Reproduction
• Requires a female and male parent
• Each parent donates ½ of the
Chromosomes/Genes/DNA
• Requires fertilization - the combining of
gametes
• Now, nine months later, you come out kicking
and screaming (and dancing). To which parent
do you look exactly alike? How about your
siblings? Do you look exactly alike them?
Take a moment to write down one trait that is different and
in what way it is different.
*Dancing baby graphics and music courtesy of [Link]*
Characteristics of Sexual Reproduction
• Requires a female and male parent
• Each parent donates ½ of the
Chromosomes/Genes/DNA
• Requires fertilization - the combining of gametes
• Produces genetic diversity - variation among and
within species that is attributable to differences in
hereditary material.
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• Now, lets talk about this diversity. My sister
has a big nose. She’s not too thrilled with
having this big nose. So let’s try to convince
her it’s a good thing. Write down a reason it
might be good to have a big nose.
Possible Reason:
Let’s run with the answer that she would have a
better ability to pick up the scent of food.
What would happen if the food supply
suddenly decreased and no one, including my
sister, had a big nose that could sense this food
supply?
EXTINCTION!!!!
But, my sister does have a big nose. So the
human species is saved. Kinda makes big
noses pretty attractive now, doesn’t it?
So what can we conclude about Sexual
Reproduction?
• it produces diversity
• diversity ensures survival of a species in an
environment that changes
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