Programs for Grade 9

Reproductive Biology

Students tend to learn more about the reproductive biology of mammals than they do about any other group of organisms. This is understandable because of the simple undisputed fact that humans are typically most interested in themselves biologically to improve human health. However, mammals do not exhibit the fantastic array of reproductive methods and strategies of many other organisms. Reptiles and amphibians can be used to illustrate aspects of reproductive biology that will provide students with a more well rounded knowledge of reproductive biology. Examples of hybridization, parthenogenesis, hybridogenesis, and other seemingly unusual reproductive events can be discusses while focusing on reptiles and amphibians.

Objectives

Describe different types of asexual reproduction; illustrate the diversity of sexual reproductive modes; compare costs and benefits of sexual and asexual reproduction; introduce the concept of polyploidy (extra chromosome sets) and how it can occur in animals.

Key Concepts/Words

Sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction, polyploidy, hybridization, parthenogenesis, hybridogenesis

Submit a booking request or contact us at education@reptilia.org.