Reproductive System

Lungs

Heart

Nerves

Gonads

Muscle

Kidney

Reproductive System

Standard Level

Reproduction Sexual Life Cycle Gametes Male System Female System Menstrual Cycle Fertilisation IVF

SL Content Statements

D3.1.1

Differences between sexual and asexual reproduction
Include these relative advantages: asexual reproduction to produce genetically identical offspring by individuals that are adapted to an existing environment, sexual reproduction to produce offspring with new gene combinations and thus variation needed for adaptation to a changed environment.
D3.1.2

Role of meiosis and fusion of gametes in the sexual life cycle
Students should appreciate that meiosis breaks up parental combinations of alleles, and fusion of gametes produces new combinations. Fusion of gametes is also known as fertilization.
D3.1.3

Differences between male and female sexes in sexual reproduction
Include the prime difference that the male gamete travels to the female gamete, so it is smaller, with less food reserves than the egg. From this follow differences in the numbers of gametes and the reproductive strategies of males and females.
D3.1.4

Anatomy of the human male and female reproductive systems
Students should be able to draw diagrams of the male-typical and female-typical systems and annotate them with names of structures and functions.
D3.1.5

Changes during the ovarian and uterine cycles and their hormonal regulation
Include the roles of oestradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and both positive and negative feedback. The ovarian and uterine cycles together constitute the menstrual cycle.
D3.1.6

Fertilization in humans
Include the fusion of a sperm’s cell membrane with an egg cell membrane, entry to the egg of the sperm nucleus but destruction of the tail and mitochondria. Also include dissolution of nuclear membranes of sperm and egg nuclei and participation of all the condensed chromosomes in a joint mitosis to produce two diploid nuclei.
D3.1.7

Use of hormones in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment
The normal secretion of hormones is suspended, and artificial doses of hormones induce superovulation.

Types of Reproduction Sexual Life Cycle Gametes Male System Female System Menstrual Cycle Fertilisation In Vitro Fertilisation

Reproductive System

Standard Level

SL Content Statements

D3.1.1

Differences between sexual and asexual reproduction

Include these relative advantages: asexual reproduction to produce genetically identical offspring by individuals that are adapted to an existing environment, sexual reproduction to produce offspring with new gene combinations and thus variation needed for adaptation to a changed environment.

D3.1.2

Role of meiosis and fusion of gametes in the sexual life cycle

Students should appreciate that meiosis breaks up parental combinations of alleles, and fusion of gametes produces new combinations. Fusion of gametes is also known as fertilization.

D3.1.3

Differences between male and female sexes in sexual reproduction

Include the prime difference that the male gamete travels to the female gamete, so it is smaller, with less food reserves than the egg. From this follow differences in the numbers of gametes and the reproductive strategies of males and females.

D3.1.4

Anatomy of the human male and female reproductive systems

Students should be able to draw diagrams of the male-typical and female-typical systems and annotate them with names of structures and functions.

D3.1.5

Changes during the ovarian and uterine cycles and their hormonal regulation

Include the roles of oestradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and both positive and negative feedback. The ovarian and uterine cycles together constitute the menstrual cycle.

D3.1.6

Fertilization in humans

D3.1.7

Use of hormones in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment

The normal secretion of hormones is suspended, and artificial doses of hormones induce superovulation.