Sexual Reproduction Activity: Build a Baby from Egg and Sperm

Description

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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:

• You may also find our Asexual & Sexual Reproduction Test helpful.
• Please note: This resource is NOT editable.
• Answer key included.
• Check out more resources in the asexual and sexual reproduction section of our shop!