AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Meiosis: Cells in reproductive organs divide by meiosis to form gametes.
Reproductive organs contain cells that divide by meiosis to produce gametes.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 7
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Reproductive organs contain cells that divide by meiosis to produce gametes. In humans, the testes produce sperm and the ovaries produce egg cells. In flowering plants, the anthers produce pollen and the ovaries produce egg cells. These reproductive organs contain diploid cells, which have two sets of chromosomes. During meiosis, a diploid cell divides twice to form four haploid gametes. Each gamete has half the chromosome number of the parent cell, so it can fuse with another gamete at fertilisation. Meiosis also creates genetic variation because the chromosomes separate independently and crossing over can occur. This means each gamete is genetically different from the others. The gametes are then released or transferred so that fertilisation can take place, restoring the diploid number in the zygote.
What earns the marks
- Reproductive organs contain cells that divide by meiosis.
- Meiosis produces gametes such as sperm and egg cells in animals, and pollen and egg cells in flowering plants.
- The cells in reproductive organs are diploid before meiosis, and the gametes produced are haploid.
- One diploid cell divides by meiosis to form four haploid gametes.
- Meiosis introduces genetic variation, so the gametes produced are genetically different from one another.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying that gametes are produced by mitosis.
Put it right: Gametes are produced by meiosis.
Thinking that meiosis produces two gametes.
Put it right: One diploid cell produces four haploid gametes.
Believing that gametes are diploid.
Put it right: Gametes are haploid, with half the chromosome number of the parent cell.
Exam tips
- Name the reproductive organs and the gametes they produce, for example testes and sperm, or ovaries and egg cells.
- State that meiosis produces four haploid gametes from one diploid cell.
- Mention that meiosis creates genetic variation, which is important for natural selection and evolution.
Try the lesson
The start of the Meiosis: Cells in reproductive organs divide by meiosis to form gametes. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In which organs do cells divide by meiosis to form gametes?
Listen
Reproductive organs contain cells that divide by meiosis to produce gametes. In humans, the testes produce sperm and the ovaries produce egg cells. In flowering plants, the anthers produce pollen and the ovaries produce egg cells. These reproductive organs contain diploid cells, which have two sets of chromosomes. During meiosis, a diploid cell divides twice to form four haploid gametes. Each gamete has half the chromosome number of the parent cell, so it can fuse with another gamete at fertilisation. Meiosis also creates genetic variation because the chromosomes separate independently and crossing over can occur. This means each gamete is genetically different from the others. The gametes are then released or transferred so that fertilisation can take place, restoring the diploid number in the zygote. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Reproductive organs contain cells that divide by meiosis. Meiosis produces gametes such as sperm and egg cells in animals, and pollen and egg cells in flowering plants. The cells in reproductive organs are diploid before meiosis, and the gametes produced are haploid. One diploid cell divides by meiosis to form four haploid gametes. A common slip: Saying that gametes are produced by mitosis. Instead, gametes are produced by meiosis. Exam tip: Name the reproductive organs and the gametes they produce, for example testes and sperm, or ovaries and egg cells.
See it
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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