D3.1  Reproduction

Guiding Questions:  
Guiding questions help students view the content of the syllabus through the conceptual lenses of both the themes and the levels of biological organization.

• How does asexual or sexual reproduction exemplify themes of change or continuity?
• What changes within organisms are required for reproduction?

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​Linking Questions:  
Linking questions strengthen students’ understanding by making connections between topics.  The ideal outcome of the linking questions is networked knowledge.

• How can interspecific relationships assist in the reproductive strategies of living organisms?
• What are the roles of barriers in living systems?

D3.1.1— Differences between sexual and asexual reproduction.

• Compare sexual and asexual life cycles.​

D3.1.2— Role of meiosis and fusion of gametes in the sexual life cycle.

• Outline the roles of meiosis and fertilization in the sexual life cycle.
• State that meiosis and fertilization produce individuals with new combinations of genetic material.

D3.1.3-- Differences between male and female sexes in sexual reproduction.

• Compare motility, size, energy reserves and production rate of male and female gametes of plants and animals. ​

D3.1.4-- Anatomy of the human male and female reproductive systems.

• Draw a diagram of the male reproductive system, including the penis (with erectile tissue), urethra, testis, scrotum, epididymis, sperm duct, prostate gland and seminal vesicle.
• Outline the function of the following male reproductive structures:  testis, scrotum, epididymis, sperm duct, seminal vesicle, prostate gland, urethra and penis.
• Draw a diagram of the female reproductive system, including the ovary, uterus, vulva, vagina, cervix and oviduct.
• Outline the function of the following female reproductive structures: ovary, uterus, vulva, vagina, cervix and oviduct.​

​D3.1.5— Changes during the ovarian and uterine cycles and their hormonal regulation.

• Define ovarian cycle, uterine cycle and menstrual cycle. 
• State the source and location of action of hormones in the ovarian cycle, including FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), estrogen and progesterone.
• Describe the negative feedback loop that regulates secretion of FSH during the ovarian cycle.
• Describe the positive feedback loop that regulates secretion of LH during the ovarian cycle. 
• Outline events occurring during the uterine cycle.
• Annotate a graph showing hormone levels of the menstrual cycle, illustrating the relationship between changes in hormone levels and follicular development, ovulation, changes to the corpus luteum, menstruation and the thickening of the endometrium.​

D3.1.6- Fertilization in humans.

• Describe the process of fertilization in humans.

 ​​​​D3.1.7- Use of hormones in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

• Compare in vivo and in vitro fertilization.
• Outline the process of medically assisted reproduction using IVF. 
• Outline the roles of FSH, oestradiol and progesterone in medically assisted reproduction using IVF.​

D3.1.8- Sexual reproduction in flowering plants.

• Outline the lifecycle stages of flowering plants. 
• Identify the location of gametogenesis in flowers.
• Contrast pollination and fertilization.

D3.1.9- Features of an insect-pollinated flower.  

• Draw and label an insect pollinated flower, including: petals, sepals, stamen, anthers, filaments, pollen, carpel, stigma, style, ovary and ovule. 
• State the function of the different parts of the animal-pollinated flower. 
• Outline structures of insect-pollinated flowers  that aid in the attraction of insects and transfer of pollen between flowers.  
• Outline the reason for homologous structures in flowers.

D3.1.10-  Methods of promoting cross-pollination.

• Define cross-pollination. 
• Outline the benefits of cross-pollination and self-incompatibility in flowering plants.
• List methods for promoting cross-pollination in flowering plants.  ​

D3.1.11- Self-incompatibility mechanisms to increase genetic variation within a species.

• Outline why self-pollination is generally avoided, even in hermaphroditic plants. 
• Outline the mechanism that promotes self-incompatibility in flowering plants. ​

D3.1.12- Dispersal and germination of seeds.

• Distinguish seed dispersal from pollination. 
• State the function of a seed. 
• List mechanisms of seed dispersal.
• Define germination.
• Outline why water, oxygen and warmth are required for germination.
• Outline the role of gibberellin during germination.​

AHL ​​​​​​D3.1.13- Control of the developmental changes of puberty by gonadotropin-releasing hormone and steroid sex hormones.

• Define puberty.
• Explain the control of puberty by GnRH and the hormones LH and FSH.
• Describe the changes of puberty in males and females that result from the hormones oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone. ​

AHL ​​​​​​D3.1.14- Spermatogenesis and oogenesis in humans. 

• State that gametogenesis involves mitosis, cell growth, two divisions of meiosis and differentiation. 
• Define oogenesis and spermatogenesis.
• Compare the processes of spermatogenesis and oogenesis, including the number of gametes, size of games, the timing of formation and release of gametes.​

AHL ​​​​​​D3.1.15- ​​Mechanisms to prevent polyspermy.

• Define polyspermy.
• State why polyspermy is detrimental to an organism.
• Explain the acrosome reaction and the cortical reaction as mechanisms that prevent polyspermy.​

AHL ​​​​​​D3.1.16- Development of a blastocyst and implantation in the endometrium.

• Define zygote, blastocyst, embryo and fetus.
• Outline embryonic development from zygote to blastocyst.
• Draw a diagram of a blastocyst, labeling the inner cell mass.
• Outline the process of implantation of a blastocyst into the endometrium. ​

AHL ​​​​​​D3.1.17- Pregnancy testing by detection of human chorionic gonadotropin secretion.

• List the source, target and function of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as related to the maintenance of pregnancy.
• Define “monoclonal antibody.”
• Describe how a pregnancy test strip works, including the role of free and immobilized monoclonal antibodies.​

AHL ​​​​​​D3.1.18- Role of the placenta in fetal development inside the uterus.

• State the function of the placenta.
• Explain the benefits of having a high chorion surface area and a selectively permeable placental barrier.
  
• List the direction and mechanism of transport between maternal and fetal blood in the placenta for CO2, O2, glucose, amino acids, lipids, antibodies and water.​

AHL ​​​​​​D3.1.19- Hormonal control of pregnancy and childbirth.

• List the source, target and function of progesterone as related to maintaining pregnancy.
• List the source, target and function of oxytocin as related to the childbirth process.​
• Outline the role of positive feedback in childbirth.

AHL ​​​​​​D3.1.20- Hormone replacement therapy and the risk of coronary heart disease.

• Discuss the use of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.
• Evaluate the relationship between HRT and incidence of coronary heart disease. ​