LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Spermatogenesis versus oogenesis

This lesson is designed to provide information and structure so that students can compare and contrast the processes of spermatogenesis and oogenesis. This lesson uses the KWL+ strategy to promote reading. The + used here is the Venn diagram.

A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Science

By Norma Pattillo

Learn more

Related pages

  • Animals undercover: Students will learn about the different animal coverings using the inquiry method. They will learn about how the covering is used for protection and to control body temperatures.
  • Termites, ink pens and pheromones: Students will investigate the behavior of termites to understand and use the scientific method.
  • First class butterflies: This is an integrated unit on raising and releasing Painted Lady butterflies. Students will learn that technology is very useful in obtaining and sharing information about butterflies via the internet.

Related topics

Help

Please read our disclaimer for lesson plans.

Legal

This page copyright ©2008. Terms of use

Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • Recognize the similarities in egg and sperm production.
  • Determine the differences in egg and sperm production.
  • Learn specific vocabulary needed to describe spermatogenesis and oogenesis, such as cytokinesis and acrosome.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

50 minutes

Materials/resources

  • having two pastel colors of paper is recommended
  • textbook, “Biology,” 6th ed., Campbell/Reece, pages 984–986
  • transparencies needed if overhead used

Technology resources

Process student Venn diagrams on the board, overhead, or smartboard.

Pre-activities

This lesson is designed for AP Biology students with prior exposure to concepts and vocabulary sufficient to master this lesson. Students should already be able to distinguish mitosis from meiosis and haploid from diploid before this lesson is taught.

Activities

  1. Have students fold paper in trifold form to make three columns for KWL.
  2. Ask students to put what they know (K) about spermatogenesis (S) and oogenesis (O) in the K column. This will be processed out loud by teacher selection around the room.
  3. Ask students what they “want to know” (W) out loud in class again. This will be recorded by each student in the W column. I will do this with a transparency as well.
  4. Instruct students to read from text sections as appropriate. Then they will fill in the L column with what they learned.
  5. Students must then draw a Venn diagram (overlapping circles) to organize information so that it’s more obvious as to what details and functions are common to both processes and the apparent differences. Students should use both the K and L columns in the Venn diagram.

Assessment

To determine understanding, an essay question for the quiz following the lesson will be: “Compare and contrast spermatogenesis and oogenesis.” (I opt to tell students the essay questions prior to the quiz to give them time for proper study given the complexity of the material).

Supplemental information

Comments

This lesson evolved from the SREB “Reading and Writing for Learning” class I am taking presently (rw4l).

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grades 9–12 — Advanced Placement Biology

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry.
    • Objective 1.01: Identify questions and create hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
    • Objective 1.02: Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer biological questions.
      • Create testable hypotheses.
      • Identify variables.
      • Use a control or comparison group when appropriate.
      • Select and use appropriate measurement tools.
      • Collect and record data.
      • Organize data into charts and graphs.
      • Analyze and interpret data.
      • Communicate findings.
    • Objective 1.03: Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence to:
      • Explain observations.
      • Make inferences and predictions.
      • Explain the relationship between evidence and explanation.
    • Objective 1.05: Analyze reports of scientific investigations from an informed scientifically literate viewpoint including considerations of:
      • Appropriate sample.
      • Adequacy of experimental controls.
      • Replication of findings.
      • Alternative interpretations of the data.