D3.1  Reproduction

Theme:  Continuity and Change

Reproduction maintains continuity of genetic information from parent to offspring.

• In organisms that reproduce asexually, the offspring are genetically identical to the parent.
• ​During sexual reproduction, continuity is maintained through the alternation of meiosis and fertilization. By reducing the chromosome number (haploid) in gametes and restoring it (diploid) in the zygote, the species maintains its chromosomal identity across generations.
• Hormones prepare for and maintain pregnancy in mammals.  The placenta maintains the continuity of fetal development by facilitating the exchange of nutrients and gases between mother and offspring.
  
• Dormancy of seeds allows the plant lineage to survive unfavorable seasons, pausing the life cycle until conditions are safe for growth.
• Vegetative propagation methods, such as runners or tubers, create genetically identical copies of plants.

Changes in physical transitions, specialized cell developments, and dispersal strategies drive the life cycle forward.

• The processes of spermatogenesis and oogenesis involve cellular specialization. In males, the result is millions of tiny, motile sperm; in females, the result is a single, massive, nutrient-rich egg. 
• Plants use diverse strategies to change the geographic location of their offspring. Whether through wind, animals, or water, the change in location reduces competition between the parent and the offspring.
• During the menstrual cycle, changes in the rise and fall of hormones cause a change in the ovaries and uterus, resetting the system for a potential pregnancy every month.
• Germination is a profound change where a dormant seed transforms into a metabolically active seedling.

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?

​​
​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?

Key Terms to Know: * higher level only

Acrosome Reaction*
Allele
Animal Pollination
Anther
Asexual Reproduction
Blastocyst*
Carpel
Childbirth*
Coronary Heart Disease*
Corpus Luteum
Cortical Reaction*
Cross-Pollination
Differentiation*
Diploid
Embryo
Endometrium
Epididymis
Eurethra
Female Gamete
Fertilization
Filament
Fimbriae
Flower
Foetus*
Follicle
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
Gamete
Genetic Variation
Germination
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone*

Haploid
Hermaphroditic
Hormone-Replacement Therapy*
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin*
Hypothalamus*
In-Vitro Fertilization
Inbreeding
Luteinizing Hormone
Male Gamete
Meiosis
Menstrual Cycle
Mitosis
Monoclonal Antibodies*
Negative Feedback
Oestradiol
Oogenesis*
Oogonium*
Ovarian Cycle
Ovary (Flower)
Ovary (Human)
Oviduct
Ovule
Oxytocin*
Penis
Petal
Placenta*
Pollen Grain
Pollination
Polyspermy*
Positive Feedback

Pregnancy*
Primary Oocyte*
Primary Spermatocyte*
Progesterone
Prostate Gland
Puberty*
Secondary Oocyte*
Secondary Spermatocyte*
Seed Dispersal
Self-Incombatibility
Self-Pollination
Seminal Vesicle
Sepal
Sexual Reproduction
Spermatid*
Spermatogenesis*
Spermatogonium*
Stamen
Stigma
Style
Superovulation
Testis
Uterine Cycle
Uterus
Vagina
Vas Deferens
Villi*
Wind Pollination
Zona Pellucida*

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. ​