AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Knowledge of reproduction in organisms is restricted to those mentioned.
Full specification wording
Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction (biology only): Knowledge of reproduction in organisms is restricted to those mentioned.
This statement limits the organisms you need to know for this topic to those named in the specification.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 8
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This statement limits the organisms you need to know for this topic to those named in the specification. You should be able to describe reproduction in malarial parasites (which reproduce asexually in the human host, but sexually in the mosquito), fungi (which reproduce asexually by spores but also reproduce sexually to give variation), and plants (which produce seeds sexually, but also reproduce asexually by runners such as strawberry plants, or bulb division such as daffodils). You are not required to recall examples of reproduction in other organisms unless the question supplies that information. However, if a question gives you information about an unfamiliar organism, you should be able to apply your understanding of asexual and sexual reproduction to explain advantages and disadvantages for that organism.
What earns the marks
- The specification restricts required examples of reproduction to those named: malarial parasites, fungi, and specific plants (strawberries and daffodils).
- You should know that malarial parasites reproduce asexually in humans and sexually in mosquitoes.
- You should know that many fungi reproduce asexually by spores but also reproduce sexually to give variation.
- You should know asexual reproduction in strawberry plants by runners and in daffodils by bulb division.
- You should be able to apply the principles of asexual and sexual reproduction to an unfamiliar organism when given appropriate information.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that fungi only reproduce asexually.
Put it right: They can reproduce sexually to introduce variation.
Assuming that unfamiliar organisms cannot be assessed.
Put it right: Questions may give information and ask you to apply your understanding.
Confusing the named plant examples, for example saying daffodils reproduce by runners instead of bulbs.
Exam tips
- Use the examples named in the specification, such as malarial parasites, fungi, strawberry runners, and daffodil bulb division, when asked for named examples.
- If a question introduces an unfamiliar organism, read the information carefully and apply the same principles of asexual or sexual reproduction.
Try the lesson
The start of the Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction (biology only): Knowledge of reproduction in organisms is restricted to those mentioned. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following correctly describes how daffodils can reproduce asexually?
Listen
This statement limits the organisms you need to know for this topic to those named in the specification. You should be able to describe reproduction in malarial parasites (which reproduce asexually in the human host, but sexually in the mosquito), fungi (which reproduce asexually by spores but also reproduce sexually to give variation), and plants (which produce seeds sexually, but also reproduce asexually by runners such as strawberry plants, or bulb division such as daffodils). You are not required to recall examples of reproduction in other organisms unless the question supplies that information. However, if a question gives you information about an unfamiliar organism, you should be able to apply your understanding of asexual and sexual reproduction to explain advantages and disadvantages for that organism. A strong answer earns marks for these points. The specification restricts required examples of reproduction to those named: malarial parasites, fungi, and specific plants (strawberries and daffodils). You should know that malarial parasites reproduce asexually in humans and sexually in mosquitoes. You should know that many fungi reproduce asexually by spores but also reproduce sexually to give variation. You should know asexual reproduction in strawberry plants by runners and in daffodils by bulb division. Exam tip: Use the examples named in the specification, such as malarial parasites, fungi, strawberry runners, and daffodil bulb division, when asked for named examples.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Specification scope
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Named examples of reproduction
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Application to unfamiliar organisms
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Principles of asexual and sexual reproduction
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See every definition
- Specification scope
- Knowledge of reproduction in organisms is restricted to those mentioned in the specification.
- Named examples of reproduction
- The required examples are malarial parasites, fungi, and specific plants such as strawberries and daffodils.
- Application to unfamiliar organisms
- You should be able to apply your understanding of asexual and sexual reproduction to explain advantages and disadvantages for an unfamiliar organism when a question gives you information about it.
- Principles of asexual and sexual reproduction
- You should be able to apply the principles of asexual and sexual reproduction to an unfamiliar organism when given appropriate information.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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