A life cycle is the stages a living organism goes through in its life.

The growth of an organism is an increase in size due to making more cells.

Reproduction is a common process where living organisms make offspring.

A zygote is the fertilised egg of a human, and the first stage in the life cycle.

Sexual reproduction is the process of making offspring where half the DNA is passed from each parent.

Life cycles and reproduction

Science

Pupils will learn about flower structure, wind and insect pollination, fertilisation, seed and fruit formation and dispersal.

Pupils learned about heredity as the process of organisms passing on genetic material to their offspring during reproduction, and about DNA, genes and chromosomes.

This unit explores human reproduction, covering the structure and function of male and female reproductive systems, the menstrual cycle, gametes, fertilisation, gestation, and birth. It also examines how maternal lifestyle impacts the foetus through the placenta.

Reproduction in humans

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

True or false? Some living organisms such as bacteria do **not** have a life cycle.

An egg cell with genetic information from the mother.

An adolescent containing genetic information from two parents.

A fertilised egg containing genetic information from both parents.

A seed that contains genetic information from both parents.

Put the stages of human reproduction in the right order, starting with an adult.

True of false? Seeds are the offspring of plants.

Jun: A zygote is many cells whereas a seed is one big cell. 

Sam: Seeds and zygotes are both made through sexual reproduction.

Izzy: A seed and a zygote will both grow.

Andeep: Seeds and zygotes both have DNA from both parents.

What are produced by all organisms following reproduction?

Choose the stage in the life cycle where reproduction is taking place.

What is the name of the chemical molecule that is stored in the nucleus of cells?

A chemical molecule that carries the genetic code.

The process where living organisms make offspring.

The stages a living organism goes through in its life.

A process that increases the size of an organism by making new cells.

Following reproduction, plants produce a {{}} which germinates and grows to form a seedling.

At which stage in this life cycle is DNA passed on?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Life cycles and reproduction

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.