International A Level Biology / Mitosis, meiosis and reproduction

Sperm and egg: specialised gametes

Edexcel International A Level Biology (YBI11), chapter 8: Mitosis, meiosis and reproduction, specification point 3.11. Part of the full course.

Read the revision notes · International A Level Biology past papers

Sperm and egg cells are specialised gametes with different structures for fertilisation and early development. Knowing what each feature does helps you explain adaptations and compare the cells accurately.

More lessons in Mitosis, meiosis and reproduction

• The cell cycle
• The stages of mitosis
• Core practical 6: the root tip squash
• Calculating the mitotic index
• Meiosis: two divisions, four haploid cells
• Independent assortment and crossing over
• Loci and linked genes
• Fertilisation in mammals
• Fertilisation in flowering plants
• Investigating pollen tube growth