⭐ Get this karyotype activity at a discount in my complete Reproduction Unit! ⭐
This karyotyping activity clearly shows that gametes have 23 chromosomes which combine to make a baby karyotype with 46. Nicely illustrates sexual reproduction for middle school students without getting too awkward!
This activity reinforces:
- Sexual reproduction requires two parents.
- Gametes have half the number of chromosomes as the parents.
- Gametes combine to make a zygote in the process of fertilization.
- Chromosomes have homologous pairing and differ based on size and banding pattern.
- A karyotype is an organized map of chromosomes.
- Different organisms have different numbers of chromosomes.
- XX makes a female offspring and XY makes a male offspring.
In this activity, students will:
- Read background information about sexual reproduction, including the terms gametes, zygote, fertilization, sperm, egg, and homologous chromosomes.
- Obtain an egg and a sperm graphic. (We do this activity in pairs, so one student gets the male gamete and the other gets a female gamete.)
- Cut out the chromosomes and match the homologous pairs using a provided key.
- Paste the homologous chromosome pairs onto their karyotype page and identify whether it is male or female.
- Answer follow-up questions on a worksheet.
Includes:
- Introductory reading passage with human chromosome key
- Egg and sperm graphics (2 versions to make male and female babies)
- Blank karyotype
- Follow-up questions worksheet
- Helpful teacher notes
NGSS Standards:
- MS-LS3-2
- Science & Engineering Practice: Developing and using models
Teacher Notes:
- Get this activity at a discount in my complete Reproduction Unit!
- Please note: This karyotype activity is NOT editable.
- Answer key included.
- You can also shop my TPT store!
Related Standards:
- NGSS MS-LS3-2: Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.
