Grade 12:

LIFE SCIENCES

Term 1 Strand 2

Strand 2: Life Processes in Plants and Animals

TOPIC & TIME

REPRODUCTION IN
VERTEBRATES
weeks
(W hours)

HUMAN
REPRODUCTION

3 weeks
(12 hours)
TOTAL: 8WEEKS
(32 HOURS)
ASSESSMENT

This knowledge strand deals with the ways in which animals are able to respond to their environments in order to ensure survival.
Learners explore different reproductive strategies in animals. Reproduction in humans is dealt with in more detail as a specific
example of animal reproduction. This expands on the basic knowledge of human reproduction that was introduced in Grades 7
and 9.
CONTENT
INVESTIGATIONS
RESOURCES
Diversity of reproductive strategies
Appropriate examples of different groups in the animal kingdom to illustrate
maximising reproductive success in different environments:
- external or internal fertilisation
- ovipary, ovovivipary, vivipary
- amniotic egg
- precocial and altricial development
- parental care.
The structure of male and female reproductive systems; The unique
human characteristics of some aspects of reproduction
(link with Grade 9):
- puberty: main changes;
- gametogenesis: relate briefly to meiosis (no individual names of stages);
- menstrual cycle: emphasis on hormonal control;
- fertilisation and development of zygote to blastocyst;
- gestation (mention briefly);
- implantation and development: the role of placenta.

Textbooks
Charts
Reference books
DVDs (if possible)
Prepared microscope slides of an
ovary, testes and a section
through a penis. Identify tissues
and different structures
Observe and describe prepared
microscope slides or micrographs
or ultrasound pictures of
embryonic development.
If possible observe stages of
pregnancy by watching DVDs of
the development of an embryo
and the birth process.
Observe contraceptive devices

Textbooks
Charts
Micrographs
Microscope
Prepared microscope
slides
Ultrasound pictures of
embryonic development
DVDs

One formal, recorded class test. Assessment for learning (informal) using a variety of One practical task
strategies and appropriate forms of assessment in homework exercises, written
Refer to the range of skills specified in Specific aim 2.
worksheets, reports, summaries, essays, tests, etc. Refer to range of skills specified in
Specific Aims 1 and 3. Note that knowledge and understanding of investigations and
practical work should also be assessed in written worksheets, homework exercises and
tests. The cognitive skills listed under Specific Aims 1 and 3 will also apply to knowledge and
understanding of investigations.