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T
Tabitha Gurney
12/5/2025
Biology
Reproduction+ Inheritance
95
•
Dec 5, 2025
•
Understanding Reproduction and Inheritance
T
Tabitha Gurney
@tabithagurney_hgli
1 / 4
Understanding Variation
You're a unique combination of genetic traits from your parents and environmental influences from your surroundings. Your blood group, eye colour, and ability to roll your tongue? That's all down to the genes you inherited.
But here's where it gets interesting - some characteristics like height, weight, and sporting ability are influenced by both genes and environment. You might inherit genes for being tall, but poor nutrition could affect your actual height.
Then there are purely environmental traits like your accent, scars, or piercings. These have nothing to do with your DNA and everything to do with where and how you live.
Key insight: Even identical twins raised apart can develop different characteristics due to environmental factors, which is why scientists study separated twins to understand nature vs nurture.
Types of Reproduction
Think of reproduction as nature's way of creating the next generation - but there are two completely different approaches. Asexual reproduction is like biological photocopying: one parent produces genetically identical offspring called clones. Bacteria do this brilliantly, reproducing quickly without needing a partner.
Sexual reproduction is far more complex but creates much more variety. It requires two parents and special sex cells called gametes (sperm and egg). When these join together, they create offspring with characteristics from both parents.
The trade-off is clear: asexual reproduction is fast and efficient but creates no genetic diversity. Sexual reproduction takes more energy and time but produces the variation that helps species survive changing environments.
Remember: Humans use sexual reproduction, which is why you share traits with both your parents but aren't identical to either of them.
Meiosis and Cell Division
Your body uses two types of cell division for completely different jobs. Mitosis creates identical copies of cells for growth and repair - think of it as your body's maintenance system. Every new skin cell or muscle cell is an exact copy.
Meiosis is far more specialised and only happens in your ovaries or testes. It creates gametes (sex cells) that contain exactly half your genetic information. This process involves two divisions instead of one, producing four genetically different cells.
Here's the clever bit: when fertilisation occurs, a sperm (23 chromosomes) joins with an egg (23 chromosomes) to create a diploid cell with the full set of 46 chromosomes. This restored cell then uses mitosis to grow into a complete organism.
Quick tip: Remember "Making Eggs In Ovaries" to recall that meiosis makes gametes, whilst mitosis makes identical copies for growth.
Mitosis vs Meiosis Comparison
Understanding the differences between these two processes is crucial for your exams. Mitosis happens everywhere in your body, creates two identical diploid cells (46 chromosomes each), and is all about growth and repair with no genetic variation.
Meiosis only occurs in reproductive organs (ovaries and testes), involves two divisions, and produces four genetically different haploid gametes with 23 chromosomes each. This genetic variation is essential for sexual reproduction.
The key difference? Mitosis maintains the status quo by creating identical cells, whilst meiosis introduces the genetic shuffling that makes sexual reproduction so powerful for creating diversity.
Exam focus: Learn the comparison table - questions often ask you to identify which process does what, where it occurs, and how many cells it produces.
We thought you’d never ask...
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Reproduction and Inheritance
T
Tabitha Gurney
@tabithagurney_hgli
Ever wondered why you look like your parents but still have your own unique features? Understanding variation, reproduction, and inheritance helps explain how traits are passed down through generations and why no two people are exactly alike (except identical twins!).
Understanding Variation
You're a unique combination of genetic traits from your parents and environmental influences from your surroundings. Your blood group, eye colour, and ability to roll your tongue? That's all down to the genes you inherited.
But here's where it gets interesting - some characteristics like height, weight, and sporting ability are influenced by both genes and environment. You might inherit genes for being tall, but poor nutrition could affect your actual height.
Then there are purely environmental traits like your accent, scars, or piercings. These have nothing to do with your DNA and everything to do with where and how you live.
Key insight: Even identical twins raised apart can develop different characteristics due to environmental factors, which is why scientists study separated twins to understand nature vs nurture.
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Types of Reproduction
Think of reproduction as nature's way of creating the next generation - but there are two completely different approaches. Asexual reproduction is like biological photocopying: one parent produces genetically identical offspring called clones. Bacteria do this brilliantly, reproducing quickly without needing a partner.
Sexual reproduction is far more complex but creates much more variety. It requires two parents and special sex cells called gametes (sperm and egg). When these join together, they create offspring with characteristics from both parents.
The trade-off is clear: asexual reproduction is fast and efficient but creates no genetic diversity. Sexual reproduction takes more energy and time but produces the variation that helps species survive changing environments.
Remember: Humans use sexual reproduction, which is why you share traits with both your parents but aren't identical to either of them.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Meiosis and Cell Division
Your body uses two types of cell division for completely different jobs. Mitosis creates identical copies of cells for growth and repair - think of it as your body's maintenance system. Every new skin cell or muscle cell is an exact copy.
Meiosis is far more specialised and only happens in your ovaries or testes. It creates gametes (sex cells) that contain exactly half your genetic information. This process involves two divisions instead of one, producing four genetically different cells.
Here's the clever bit: when fertilisation occurs, a sperm (23 chromosomes) joins with an egg (23 chromosomes) to create a diploid cell with the full set of 46 chromosomes. This restored cell then uses mitosis to grow into a complete organism.
Quick tip: Remember "Making Eggs In Ovaries" to recall that meiosis makes gametes, whilst mitosis makes identical copies for growth.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Mitosis vs Meiosis Comparison
Understanding the differences between these two processes is crucial for your exams. Mitosis happens everywhere in your body, creates two identical diploid cells (46 chromosomes each), and is all about growth and repair with no genetic variation.
Meiosis only occurs in reproductive organs (ovaries and testes), involves two divisions, and produces four genetically different haploid gametes with 23 chromosomes each. This genetic variation is essential for sexual reproduction.
The key difference? Mitosis maintains the status quo by creating identical cells, whilst meiosis introduces the genetic shuffling that makes sexual reproduction so powerful for creating diversity.
Exam focus: Learn the comparison table - questions often ask you to identify which process does what, where it occurs, and how many cells it produces.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user