It is expected that students will compare sexual and asexual reproduction in terms of advantages and disadvantages
Students who have fully met the prescribed learning outcome are able to:
Distinguish between sexual reproduction (e.g., human) and
asexual reproduction (e.g., binary fission, budding, vegetative reproduction, fragmentation) in representative organisms
Relate sexual and asexual reproduction to adaptability of
organisms
photo: kconnors@morguefile
RESOURCE
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PLANNING FOR ASSESSMENT /ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES
Have students use a jigsaw (cooperative
learning) approach to learn about the various
types of asexual reproduction, including
- fragmentation
- budding
- binary fission
- vegetative
Expert groups then share finds with the rest
of the class. Discuss as a class, focussing on
the characteristics of each type of asexual
reproduction. Continue the discussion by
comparing asexual reproduction to sexual
reproduction. What are the similarities and
differences? What are the advantages and
outcomes of each?
Display pictures of each type of asexual
reproduction, and ask students to identify each
(e.g., “Is this fragmentation? Why or why not?).
Look for evidence that students are able to
identify each type accurately and support their
answers.
• Have students prepare a contrast graphic organizer
comparing sexual and asexual
reproduction. Look for evidence that they are able
to compare advantages and disadvantages
including:
- number of offspring produced
- genetic diversity of offspringRESOURCE: more graphic organizers
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Think-Pair-Share: have students identify
situations in which one form of reproduction
may be more advantageous than another.
Have students research organisms that can
reproduce both sexually and asexually (e.g.,
jellyfish, poplar tree) and present their
findings.
Student presentations should address the
following questions:
- What are the advantages of a jellyfish being
able to use either method of reproduction?
- Which method of reproduction would be the
most advantageous for a single poplar tree
growing in the middle of a field? Explain.
- Which method of reproduction would be the
most advantageous for a poplar tree growing
in a dense forest? Explain.
- Name other organisms that are capable of
reproducing sexually and asexually, and
comment on the environment in which they
live.
