3.1 – Understand the differences between sexual and asexual reproduction.
– Sexual reproduction: Two parents create non-identical offspring who inherits
characteristics from both parents.
– Asexual reproduction: A single parent creates an identical offspring.
3.2 – Understand that fertilisation involves the fusion of a male and female gamete to
produce a zygote that undergoes cell division and develops into an embryo.
– Gamete: A sex cell.
Gamete Human Flowering Plant
Male Sperm Pollen Grain
Female Ovum Ovum
Fertilisation: The fusion of two gametes.
• This involves the fusion of a male and female gamete.
• This produces a zygote that undergoes cell division and develops into an embryo.
FLOWERING PLANTS (3.3 – 3.7)
3.3 – Describe the structures of an insect-pollinated and a wind-pollinated flower and
explain how each is adapted for pollination.
3.4 – Understand that the growth of the pollen tube followed by fertilisation leads to seed
and fruit formation.
Gamete Human Flowering Plant
Male Sperm Pollen Grain
Female Ovum Ovum
Feature Insect Pollinated Wind Pollinated
Petal Large and bright. Unattractive and not bright.
Pollen Larger and stickier with barbs to
cling on insects. Lighter and smaller.
Smell / Nectary Nectary present; sweet-smelling
flower.
No nectary present and no
attracting smell.
Anther In the flower. Exposed so it is easier to catch
pollen or for insects to pollinate.
– The growth of the pollen tube followed by fertilisation leads to seed and fruit formation.
• The zygote is known as a seed.
• The ovary becomes the fruit.
3.5 – Understand the conditions needed for seed germination.
– Water: Activates enzymes.
– Warm temperatures: Optimum temperature for enzymes to break down starch into
maltose for food.
– Oxygen: For respiration.
3.6 – Understand how germinating seeds utilise food reserves until the seedling
can carry out photosynthesis.
– Germinating seeds utilise food reserves until the seedling can carry out
photosynthesis.
– Food reserves are in the cotyledons (first leaves).
• Light is not needed because the seed does not photosynthesise.
• The process of germination stops once the seed is able to photosynthesise.
3.7 – Understand that plants can reproduce asexually by natural methods (illustrated by
runners) and by artificial methods (illustrated by cuttings).
– Plants can reproduce asexually by natural methods, e.g. runners.
– Plants can reproduce sexually by artificial methods, e.g. cuttings.
HUMANS (3.8 – 3.12)
3.8 – Describe the structure and explain the function of the male and female reproductive
systems.
Male Organ Function
Testicles Produces sperm and the hormone testosterone.
Penis Delivers sperm through the urethra. Consists of two parts, the shaft (main part)
and glans (tip).
Scrotum (Scrotal sac) Hangs under the penis and contains the testicles and epididymis.
Vas Deferens (Ductus deferens) Thin muscular tube that transports sperm from the epididymis
to the urethra.
Seminal Vesicle Secretes a thick fluid that nourishes the sperm. Located at the base of the
bladder.
Epididymis Next to each testicle, a light-coloured tube where sperm is stored. From here,
sperm is transported to the vas deferens.
Prostate Gland Surrounds a portion of the urethra and produces some of the fluid in semen.
Bladder The muscular sac that stores urine until it is released through the urethra.
Urethra Tube that carries semen and urine out of the penis.
Female Organ Function
Ovary There are two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Produces eggs and
hormones (progesterone and oestrogen).
Fallopian tube Connects the ovaries with the uterus and allows the egg to travel through during
ovulation.
Uterus Hollow organ with a muscular wall, where the foetus grows.
Vagina Connects the uterus to the outside of the body. The opening of the vagina is on the
outside, known as the vaginal opening.
Cervix The lower part of the uterus that opens during childbirth.
3.9 – Understand the roles of oestrogen and progesterone in the menstrual cycle.
– Oestrogen and progesterone both affect the menstrual cycle.
– Oestrogen: Produced in the ovaries, thickens the womb lining and prompts the
release of LH (luteinising hormone).
– Progesterone: Produced in the ovary (corpus luteum) and maintains the lining of the
womb.
3.10 – Describe the role of the placenta in the nutrition of the developing embryo.
– Digested food molecules and oxygen from the mother’s blood travel via the umbilical
cord to the embryo.
– Waste products from the embryo (e.g. water, carbon dioxide) are excreted by the
mother.
– Particles travel by diffusion from a high concentration to low concentration.
– The placenta has a large surface area.
3.11 – Understand how the developing embryo is protected by amniotic fluid.
– The amniotic fluid protects the embryo by absorbing the shock and force of impact.
3.12 – Understand the roles of oestrogen and testosterone in the development of
secondary sexual characteristics.
– Oestrogen develops the secondary sexual characteristics of girls.
– Testosterone develops the secondary sexual characteristics of boys.
Male Female
Sperm production starts. The menstrual cycle begins, and eggs are released
by ovaries every month.
Growth and development of male sexual organs. Growth and development of female sexual organs.
Growth of armpit and pubic hair, and chest and
facial hair (beard). Growth of armpit and pubic hair.
Increase in body mass; growth of muscles (e.g.
chest).
Increase in body mass; development of ‘rounded’
shape to hips.
Voice breaks. Voice deepens without sudden ‘breaking’.
Sexual ‘drive’ develops. Sexual ‘drive’ develops.
Breasts develop