Reproduction IGCSE Biology: Complete Guide with Memory Tips
Reproduction IGCSE Biology: Complete Guide with Memory Tips
🌸 Understanding Reproduction in IGCSE Biology
Reproduction ensures species survival through offspring production. This guide covers sexual and asexual reproduction with memory techniques and exam tips.
🧠 Memory Tips
Sexual vs Asexual: “Sexual Two Parents, Asexual One Parent”
- Sexual: Two parents, genetic variation
- Asexual: One parent, identical offspring
Flower Parts: “Sepals Petals Stamens Carpels”
- Sepals (protection), Petals (attraction), Stamens (male), Carpels (female)
Human Reproduction: “Gametes Fertilization Development Birth”
- Process sequence for human reproduction
📚 Key Concepts
Types of Reproduction
Sexual Reproduction
- Two parents: Male and female gametes
- Fertilization: Gametes fuse
- Genetic variation: Offspring differ from parents
- Examples: Humans, flowering plants, most animals
Asexual Reproduction
- One parent: No gametes involved
- Identical offspring: Clones of parent
- Faster: No need to find mate
- Examples: Bacteria, budding, vegetative propagation
Plant Reproduction
Flower Structure
- Sepals: Protect flower bud
- Petals: Attract pollinators
- Stamens: Male parts (anther + filament)
- Carpels: Female parts (stigma + style + ovary)
Pollination
- Self-pollination: Same flower/plant
- Cross-pollination: Different plants
- Wind pollination: Light pollen, no petals
- Insect pollination: Sticky pollen, colorful petals
Fertilization in Plants
- Pollen grain lands on stigma
- Pollen tube grows down style
- Male gamete travels down tube
- Fertilization occurs in ovule
- Seed formation begins
Human Reproduction
Male Reproductive System
- Testes: Produce sperm and testosterone
- Sperm ducts: Transport sperm
- Prostate gland: Produces seminal fluid
- Penis: Delivers sperm
Female Reproductive System
- Ovaries: Produce eggs and hormones
- Oviducts: Transport eggs
- Uterus: Development of fetus
- Vagina: Birth canal
Menstrual Cycle
- 28-day cycle: Prepares for pregnancy
- Ovulation: Day 14 (egg release)
- Hormones: FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone
- Menstruation: If no fertilization occurs
🎯 IGCSE Exam Focus
Common Questions
- Compare sexual and asexual reproduction (6 marks)
- Describe flower structure and function (5 marks)
- Explain human menstrual cycle (8 marks)
- Describe fertilization process (4 marks)
Key Processes
- Pollination → Fertilization → Seed formation
- Ovulation → Fertilization → Implantation → Development
Advantages and Disadvantages
Sexual Reproduction
Advantages: Genetic variation, adaptation, evolution Disadvantages: Slower, requires mate, energy expensive
Asexual Reproduction
Advantages: Fast, no mate needed, energy efficient Disadvantages: No variation, vulnerable to disease
🌱 Plant Reproduction Methods
Sexual Reproduction
- Flowers: Specialized reproductive organs
- Seeds: Contain embryo and food store
- Fruits: Protect and disperse seeds
- Germination: Seed develops into new plant
Asexual Reproduction
- Runners: Strawberry plants
- Bulbs: Onions, tulips
- Tubers: Potatoes
- Budding: Yeast, hydra
👶 Human Development
Fertilization
- Sperm meets egg: Usually in oviduct
- Zygote formation: Diploid cell
- Cell division: Mitosis begins
- Implantation: Embryo attaches to uterus wall
Pregnancy
- Gestation: 9 months (40 weeks)
- Placenta: Exchanges materials with mother
- Umbilical cord: Connects fetus to placenta
- Birth: Contractions expel baby
Hormones in Reproduction
- Testosterone: Male characteristics, sperm production
- Estrogen: Female characteristics, egg maturation
- Progesterone: Maintains pregnancy
- FSH/LH: Control gamete production
🔬 Practical Applications
Contraception
- Barrier methods: Condoms, diaphragms
- Hormonal methods: Pills, injections
- Natural methods: Rhythm method
- Permanent methods: Sterilization
Fertility Treatments
- IVF: In vitro fertilization
- Hormone therapy: Stimulate ovulation
- Artificial insemination: Direct sperm delivery
Plant Breeding
- Selective breeding: Choose best traits
- Hybridization: Cross different varieties
- Cloning: Identical plants
- Genetic modification: Add new genes
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Written by
Tutopiya Biology Team
IGCSE Biology Specialists
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