Starter quiz
- Humans reproduce via which type of reproduction?
- sexual ✓
- asexual
-
What is the male sex cell (gamete) in humans called?- zygote
- egg (ova)
- sperm ✓
- embryo
- foetus
-
- Which of the statements about a zygote is incorrect?
- A zygote contains genetic information from both parents.
- A zygote contains all the genetic information needed to make offspring.
- A zygote is a fertilised egg cell.
- A zygote contains half the number of chromosomes needed to make offspring. ✓
- A zygote will grow into an embryo.
-
In human reproduction, fertilisation takes place in one of the two ______ which are part of the female reproductive system.- 'oviducts' ✓
- True or false? On average, human females release one egg per menstrual cycle.
- True ✓
- False
- How many chromosomes does a human zygote have?
- '46' ✓
Exit quiz
- On average, how long is the human gestation period?
- 30 weeks
- 50 weeks
- 40 weeks ✓
- 20 weeks
-
- Put the stages of human development into the correct order, from fertilisation to birth.
- 1⇔zygote
- 2⇔embryo
- 3⇔foetus
- 4⇔baby
True or false? The amniotic sac contains amniotic fluid.- True ✓
- False
Which statements about the role of the placenta are incorrect?- The placenta transfers blood between the mother and foetus. ✓
- The placenta provides oxygen for the foetus.
- The placenta removes carbon dioxide from the foetus.
- The placenta provides blood for the foetus. ✓
- The placenta provides nutrients for the foetus.
-
- Which of the following does the amniotic sac and fluid provide to the growing foetus?
- protection against bumps ✓
- oxygen
- temperature regulation ✓
- carbon dioxide removal
- water
-
- Put the stages of human birth into the correct order.
- 1⇔Hormones are released to start the process.
- 2⇔Muscles in the wall of the uterus contract.
- 3⇔The cervix dilates (opens) until it is around 10 cm wide.
- 4⇔The baby is forced down through the vagina.
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- A zygote divides to become an embryo, which then develops into a foetus made of different cells and tissues.
- The human gestation period is about 40 weeks.
- The foetus grows in an amniotic sac which is filled with amniotic fluid for protection.
- The mother provides all the nutrients that the growing foetus needs and gets rid of waste products through the placenta.
- During birth, the cervix opens and the uterus wall contracts to push the baby out through the vagina.
Common misconception
Mixing up the terms zygote, embryo and foetus. Thinking that the mother's blood mixes with the foetus' blood in the placenta.
The lesson explores how the zygote divides, grows and develops in stages including embryo and foetus until the baby is ready to be born. The foetal and mother's blood vessels are close to each other in the placenta but the blood doesn't mix.
Keywords
Foetus - The foetus is the stage of human development between an embryo (at around 8 weeks) up to when the baby is born.
Umbilical cord - The umbilical cord joins the placenta to the foetus. It carries the nutrients and oxygen needed from the mother.
Contractions - Waves of muscle contractions in the uterus wall during childbirth push the baby down through the vagina.
Placenta - The placenta is an organ that is attached to the uterus wall; it provides the foetus with oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood.
Amniotic sac - The amniotic sac surrounds the foetus and contains fluid which protects it.