Reproduction

 the significance of asexual and sexual reproduction.  state the significance of reproduction.

 compare the advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction.

12.1.1 Asexual reproduction

 the various modes of asexual reproduction, e.g.

binary fission, budding, spore formation and natural vegetative propagation of flowering plants.

 Use prepared slides or photomicrographs to show various modes of asexual reproduction, e.g. binary fission, budding and spore formation.

 develop an awareness of the various modes of asexual reproduction.

 relate the concept of asexual reproduction with the process of mitosis.

 the application of artificial vegetative propagation in horticulture.

 Examine a range of stem, root and leaf propagules in flowering plants.

 Grow new plants from propagules.

 Visit a local farm or nursery to gather information with respect to the artificial propagation of house plants or fruit trees.

 appreciate the application of artificial vegetative propagation (cutting and grafting) in horticulture, such as the production of new variety of plants or fruits.

 that tissue culture is a means of cloning plants.  Use audiovisual materials to show the process of tissue culture and cloning.

 state the advantages and applications of tissue culture in plants.

 about cloning in mammals and its ethical implications.

 Collect newspaper cutting on cloning of mammals.

 Debate on the ethical issues related to the cloning of mammals.

 develop an awareness of the advantages and applications of cloning in mammals.

 evaluate critically the controversies of cloning with respect to its ethical implications.

12.1.2 Sexual reproduction

12.1.2.1 Sexual reproduction in mammals

 the function of various parts of the male and female reproductive systems.

 Dissect a small mammal to examine the urinogenital system.

 Examine sections of mammalian testis and ovary to study their simple histology.

 state the functions of the various parts of the male and female reproductive system.

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Learning objectives Possible learning and teaching activities Expected learning outcomes

Students should learn Students should be able to

 the menstrual cycle in humans and its hormonal control.

 Interpret a graph showing the fluctuation of hormones and the changes of the uterine lining of the menstrual cycle.

 describe the interaction of hormones in the menstrual cycle.

 the use of hormones as contraceptives and in treating infertility in humans.

 Study the ingredient label of the package of contraceptive pills.

 Conduct a project work on various ways in which infertility can be dealt with.

 explain how hormones can be used as

contraceptives and for the treatment of infertility.

 the significance of courtship behaviour.  Use audiovisual materials to show the courtship behaviour of some mammals.

 Discuss the significance of such behaviour.

 develop an awareness of the significance of courtship behaviour in reproduction.

 about the relative size and relative mobility of sperms and eggs.

 an outline of the process of fertilisation and the significance of internal fertilisation.

 Examine photomicrographs of sperm and egg.

 Use audiovisual materials to show the process of fertilisation.

 compare the size and the mobility of sperms and eggs.

 outline the process of fertilisation and the significance of internal fertilisation.

 the foetus and the newborn:

 implantation.  state the significance of implantation.

 nutrition, gas exchange and excretion of the foetus in relation to the placenta.

 Discuss how specific substances (e.g. food, nicotine, alcohol, drugs, antibiotics etc.) taken into the body of a pregnant woman may affect her foetus.

 Outline the general route taken by nutrients from the mother’s digestive system to the foetus’s brain.

 describe the nutrition, gas exchange and excretion of the foetus in relation to the placenta.

 the process of birth, lactation [refer to Section 10] and parental care.

 Discuss the advantages of breast-feeding.  describe the process of birth.

 describe the hormonal and nervous control of lactation.

 point out the significance of parental care.

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Learning objectives Possible learning and teaching activities Expected learning outcomes

Students should learn Students should be able to

 the various methods of birth control in humans with the processes associated with sexual reproduction. [Refer to Guidelines on Sex Education in Schools.]

 the biological principles underlying the various methods of birth control.

 Conduct a project work on the pros and cons of various methods of birth control.

 describe the methods of birth control in humans.

 explain the biological principles underlying the various methods of birth control.

 assess the effectiveness and limitations of these methods.

 relate birth control to human population increase and population pressure on the environment.

12.1.2.2 Sexual reproduction in flowering plants

 the floral parts and their functions.  Dissect a flower to examine the individual floral parts.

 Examine the photomicrograph of the T.S. of an anther or a pollen sac.

 relate the floral parts of a flower to their functions in reproduction.

 the occurrence of self-pollination and cross-pollination.

 the advantages and disadvantages of self-pollination and cross-pollination.

 distinguish between self-pollination and cross-pollination.

 compare the significance of self-pollination and cross-pollination.

 the growth of pollen tube and double fertilisation leading to the formation of embryo and endosperm.

 Observe the growth of the pollen tube in sugar solution.

 outline the process of fertilisation, seed and fruits formation.

 the fate of floral parts after fertilisation.

 the structure and function of different parts of a dicotyledonous seed and a monocotyledonous seed.

 Examine the gross and internal structure of seeds, e.g. broad bean, mung bean and maize.

 relate the different parts of a dicotyledonous seed and a monocotyledonous seed and their functions associated with sexual reproduction.

 the significance of dispersal of fruits and seeds.  Examine a range of fruits and seeds to study the features related to dispersal.

 state the significance of dispersal of fruits and seeds.

 an outline of the physiological changes during seed germination.

 Investigate the enzyme activities at the onset of germination.

 outline the physiological changes during seed germination.

 the importance of dormancy in seeds.  Ask students to list out factors (e.g. environmental factors, presence of inhibitory substances) that may prevent seed germination.

 explain the meaning of seed dormancy.

 discuss the significance of seed dormancy.

 Ask students to study the instructions or labels of some seed packages.

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Learning objectives Possible learning and teaching activities Expected learning outcomes

Students should learn Students should be able to