Making gametes: meiosis
I can explain how a type of cell division called meiosis makes gametes for sexual reproduction.
Making gametes: meiosis
I can explain how a type of cell division called meiosis makes gametes for sexual reproduction.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Reproduction is part of the life cycle of all organisms; sexual reproduction requires specialised cells called gametes.
- Gametes are made from body cells by a type of cell division called meiosis.
- During interphase the chromosomes are copied; meiosis follows this and includes two rounds of cell division.
- The gametes made by meiosis have half the usual number of chromosomes (one from each pair in the original body cell).
- Mitosis produces 2 genetically identical diploid cells, whereas meiosis produces 4 genetically different haploid cells.
Keywords
Sexual reproduction - A type of reproduction that combines the genetic material of two organisms to produce genetically different offspring.
Gametes - An organism's sex cells that contain half the number of chromosomes.
Meiosis - A type of cell division that forms the gametes.
Chromosomes - Highly coiled strands of DNA found inside the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.
Haploid - A cell with half the number of chromosomes.
Common misconception
Knowing the differences between mitosis and meiosis. In particular when they are used, the number of cell divisions and if variation is present.
The final learning cycle of the lesson serves to compare the features of mitosis and meiosis, this includes CFU questions and a practice task.
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Making gametes: meiosis, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Making gametes: meiosis, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Cell division: mitosis and meiosis unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
None required.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
where the sperm and egg fuse to form the zygote
cell division that forms the gametes
involves two parents producing genetically different offspring
reproduction involving only one organism