Mitosis, Meiosis and Reproduction

Follows the Pearson Edexcel International AS/A Level Specification. Learning outcome:

3.10 Understand the role of meiosis in ensuring genetic variation through the production of non-identical gametes as a consequence of independent assortment of chromosomes in metaphase 1 and crossing over of alleles between chromatids in prophase 1.
3.11 Understand how mammalian gametes are specialised for their functions (including the acrosome in sperm and the zona pellucida in the egg cell).
3.12 Know the process of fertilisation in mammals, including the acrosome reaction, the cortical reaction and the fusion of nuclei.
3.13 Know the process of fertilisation in flowering plants, starting with the growth of a pollen tube and ending with the fusion of nuclei.
3.14 Understand the role of mitosis and the cell cycle in producing genetically identical daughter cells for growth and asexual reproduction.
3.15 Prepare and stain a root tip squash to observe the stages of mitosis.
3.16 Be able to calculate mitotic index.

Content:
Presentation 1: Cell Cycle and Mitosis.
All steps of the cell cycle, including: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase and cytokinesis.
Mitotic Index.
Core practical 6.

Presentation 2: Sexual Reproduction, Gametes Structure and Function, and Meiosis.
Importance of sexual reproduction on variation.
Gamete structure, function and location.
The steps of meiosis I & II.
Variation from recombination and independent assortment.

Presentation 3: Fertilisation in Plants and Animals.
Internal and external fertilisation.
Pollination.
Plant fertilisation.
Human fertilisation.