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Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
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New
New
Year 11
AQA
Higher

Sexual and asexual reproduction

I can explain how sexual and asexual reproduction affect variation and evolution within populations of organisms.

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New
New
Year 11
AQA
Higher

Sexual and asexual reproduction

I can explain how sexual and asexual reproduction affect variation and evolution within populations of organisms.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sexual reproduction creates genetic variation in offspring by combining alleles from male and female gametes.
  2. Sexual reproduction occurs at a slower rate than asexual reproduction but creates variation which can lead to evolution.
  3. Asexual reproduction creates genetically identical offspring with no genetic variation.
  4. Asexual reproduction typically occurs at a much faster rate than sexual reproduction.
  5. Organisms that reproduce asexually can evolve if the environment or DNA copying errors cause changes in their genome.

Common misconception

Many students will hold the misconception that "complex" organisms (e.g. animals) use sexual reproduction and "simple" organisms (e.g. plants, microorganisms) use asexual reproduction to reproduce.

This lesson includes examples of plants and animals carrying out asexual and sexual reproduction.

Keywords

  • Evolution - The process in which the characteristics of species change over many generations, sometimes becoming new species.

  • Genetic variation - Differences between individuals that are caused by the genetic material they inherit.

  • Sexual reproduction - The process of creating offspring through the fusing of gametes.

  • Asexual reproduction - Reproduction involving one parent, giving genetically identical offspring.

  • Genome - All the genetic material of an organism.

If your school has any plants this would be a great opportunity to take cuttings to show your class an example of asexual reproduction. Spider plants, African violets and painted nettles work particularly well.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The complete process of making offspring is called .
Correct Answer: reproduction, reproducing
Q2.
The Oak pupils are discussing reproduction. Who is correct?
Aisha: Reproduction only happens in plants and animals.
Correct answer: Lucas: Reproduction is a common life process in all living organisms.
Sofia: Bacteria just divide in two – that’s not reproduction.
Q3.
When reproduction involves the fusing of gametes, it is called reproduction.
Correct Answer: sexual
Q4.
When two gametes fuse during sexual reproduction, this is called …
cell division.
Correct answer: fertilisation.
gestation.
ovulation.
Q5.
Which one is the male gamete in humans?
lymphocyte
ovum
pollen grain
Correct answer: sperm
Q6.
Each gamete carries __________ of the genetic material of the parent.
all
Correct answer: half
none

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Differences between individuals’ genomes, caused by the genetic material they inherit, are called …
An image in a quiz
evolution.
Correct answer: genetic variation.
sexual reproduction.
the genome.
Q2.
True or false? Evolution only occurs when there is genetic variation within a population of organisms.
Correct answer: true
false
Q3.
Match the advantages and disadvantages to the correct examples.
Correct Answer:advantage of sexual reproduction,produces genetic variation in offspring

produces genetic variation in offspring

Correct Answer:disadvantage of sexual reproduction,produces offspring at a slower rate

produces offspring at a slower rate

Correct Answer:advantage of asexual reproduction,produces offspring at a faster rate

produces offspring at a faster rate

Correct Answer:disadvantage of asexual reproduction,produces no variation in offspring

produces no variation in offspring

Q4.
The Oak pupils are discussing reproduction. Who is correct?
Izzy: Sexual reproduction requires only one gamete.
Correct answer: Jacob: Asexual reproduction requires only one individual.
Jun: Sexual reproduction always produces two offspring.
Laura: Asexual reproduction only happens in bacteria.
Q5.
True or false? Organisms that reproduce asexually cannot evolve.
An image in a quiz
true
Correct answer: false
Q6.
Organisms that reproduce asexually can evolve when genetic variation arises in the population. How can genetic variation occur during asexual reproduction?
A different mate is chosen.
Correct answer: A mutagenic substance creates a mutation.
Correct answer: An error is made when the genome is copied.
The gametes receive different alleles.
The offspring inherit half of their genome from each parent.