Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Home › How Meiosis and Fertilization Produce Genetic Diversity (In Contrast to Asexual Reproduction) ›

How Meiosis and Fertilization Produce Genetic Diversity (In Contrast to Asexual Reproduction)

In this analysis and discussion activity, students learn how meiosis produces genetically diverse gametes, by analyzing the results of crossing over and independent assortment.

Students figure out why no two siblings (except identical twins) have exactly the same alleles.

A final section contrasts sexual reproduction with asexual reproduction.

The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files. The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
AttachmentSize
GeneticDiversity SH.docx1.01 MB
GeneticDiversity SH.pdf458.09 KB
GeneticDiversity TN.docx575.27 KB
GeneticDiversity TN.pdf408.85 KB
  • share

Comments

iwaldron's picture

2025 Revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Fri, 10/24/2025 - 5:01am.

This is a new activity, based on the end of the former meiosis and fertilization activity. We have revised the questions in the Student Handout for greater clarity. Also, we have expanded the section that compares asexual reproduction with sexual reproduction.

Ingrid

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
1 + 0 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Download Minds-On Activities for Teaching Biology

Introduction and Activities Listing

Intro and Biological Molecules

Cell

Cell Structure and Function

Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis

Cell Division

Cell Division

Genealogy

Genetics

Genealogy

Molecular Biology

Natural Selection

Evolution

Natural Selection

Ecology

Runner

Human Physiology and Health

Subscribe

Subscribe to our listserv to receive notices when we post new activities or significant revisions or when we offer an online professional development.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To preserve the value of these learning activities for other teachers, please do not post keys for any questions from any of these activities!

Creative Commons License

Authors

Dr. Ingrid Waldron is Professor Emerita in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Co-authors include Dr. Jennifer Doherty, who is an Assistant Professor in the Physiology Department at Michigan State University, and Dr. Lori Spindler, who is a Lecturer in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. They have developed these activities in collaboration with colleagues at Penn and middle school and high school teachers in the Philadelphia area. We are grateful to Craig Douglas for his generous help with graphics.

 

  • share

Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities

Scanning electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2

Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities has 50 remote-ready activities, which work for either your classroom or remote teaching.

Narrative is determined not by a desire to narrate but by a desire to exchange. (Roland Barthes, S/Z)

What's New? Subscribe to Serendip Studio

New Topics

Read More >