IP Biology Upper Sec 13: Reproduction
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)26 Nov 2025, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Ezekiel Tan·Academic Advisor (Biology)
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These notes align with SEAB GCE O-Level Biology (6093) content used in IP programmes (exams from 2026).
Status: SEAB O-Level Biology 6093 syllabus (exams from 2026) checked 2025-11-30 - scope unchanged; remains the reference for this note.
What you must know
- Asexual reproduction produces genetically identical offspring; mitosis makes 2 identical diploid cells for growth/repair/asexual reproduction.
- Sexual reproduction uses meiosis to form haploid gametes (halves chromosome number); fusion restores diploid zygote; leads to variation (independent assortment/crossing over conceptually).
- Plants: flower parts (stamen, carpel, petals, sepals); insect vs wind-pollinated features (petals, scent, pollen grain traits); pollination vs fertilisation; pollen tube growth to ovule.
- Humans: male (testes, sperm ducts, prostate) and female (ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina) systems; menstrual cycle hormones (oestrogen, progesterone) and ovulation timing; fertilisation in oviduct; implantation in uterus; placenta/umbilical cord for exchange; amniotic fluid protection.
- STDs: HIV transmission (blood, sexual fluids, mother-to-child), reduces immunity; prevention via condoms, screened blood, no shared needles.
Detailed notes
- Asexual vs sexual: asexual quick, no gametes, clones (no variation except mutation); sexual slower, uses gametes, increases variation (independent assortment/crossing over conceptually).
- Mitosis: growth/repair/asexual reproduction; two identical diploid daughter cells. Meiosis: in gonads to form haploid gametes; halves chromosome number; leads to genetic variation.
- Flower structures: stamen (anther + filament), carpel (stigma/style/ovary), petals/sepals. Insect vs wind pollination features (colour/scent/nectar vs exposed anthers/feathery stigmas, pollen traits).
- Pollination vs fertilisation: pollination = transfer of pollen to stigma; fertilisation = male nucleus fuses with ovule nucleus. Pollen tube grows to ovule for fertilisation.
- Human reproduction: sperm made in testes (in scrotum); oviduct is fertilisation site; implantation in uterine lining; placenta for exchange (O₂, nutrients in;
