Sexual Reproduction Activity: Build a Baby from Egg and Sperm

$3.99

Fun way to illustrate that two parent cells make one baby!

Grades 7 and Up

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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 gameteszygotefertilizationspermegg, 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:

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