Sexual and asexual reproduction — AQA GCSE Biology
Test yourself on Sexual and asexual reproduction with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Sexual and asexual reproduction explained
Sexual reproduction requires the fusion of male and female gametes, which are specialised sex cells.
Read the full explanation
In animals, the male gamete is the sperm cell and the female gamete is the egg cell. In flowering plants, the male gamete is contained within pollen and the female gamete is the egg cell found in the ovule. The fusion of gametes is called fertilisation and results in a zygote that develops into a new individual. Gametes are haploid, meaning they contain half the normal number of chromosomes, so that the offspring has the correct diploid number after fertilisation. Students should be able to name the gametes in animals and flowering plants and describe the process of fusion. For example, in humans, a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell to form a zygote with 46 chromosomes.
Your focus
- Identify the male and female gametes in animals and flowering plants.
- Describe the process of fertilisation as the fusion of gametes.
- Explain the importance of gametes being haploid.
Sexual and asexual reproduction exam tips
Marking Points
- Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes.
- In animals, the male gamete is the sperm cell and the female gamete is the egg cell.
- In flowering plants, the male gamete is in pollen and the female gamete is the egg cell.
- Fusion of gametes is called fertilisation.
- Gametes are haploid, so the offspring receives half its chromosomes from each parent.
- The fusion of gametes leads to the formation of a zygote.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Name the specific gametes for animals and flowering plants.
- 💡Use the term 'fusion' when describing fertilisation.
- 💡State that gametes are haploid and the zygote is diploid.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the male gamete in plants: pollen is the structure containing the male gamete, not the gamete itself; correction: the male gamete is inside pollen.
- Thinking gametes are diploid; correction: gametes are haploid.
- Believing fertilisation occurs without fusion; correction: fertilisation is the fusion of gametes.