Sexual Reproduction Flashcards, test questions and answers
Discover flashcards, test exam answers, and assignments to help you learn more about Sexual Reproduction and other subjects. Don’t miss the chance to use them for more effective college education. Use our database of questions and answers on Sexual Reproduction and get quick solutions for your test.
What is Sexual Reproduction?
Sexual reproduction is a type of reproduction that involves the fusion of two haploid gametes to form a diploid zygote. This process is essential for the survival and growth of many species. Sexual reproduction is more complex than asexual reproduction, since it requires two compatible individuals to produce offspring with genetic diversity. During sexual reproduction, both male and female gametes contribute genetic material to create an offspring that has unique genetic characteristics from either parent.The process of sexual reproduction begins when two compatible individuals meet and mate. Depending on the species, this could be through copulation or other methods such as egg exchange or sperm transfer. Once mating has begun, specialized cells called gametes are produced by each individual; these cells contain half the amount of chromosomes required for fertilization. The male gamete contains only one copy of each chromosome while the female gamete contains two copies (one from each parent). During fertilization, these haploid gametes fuse together to form a diploid zygote which will eventually develop into an embryo and eventually an adult organism. Since sexual reproduction requires two organisms, it can be beneficial in terms of improving genetic diversity within a population as well as contributing to long-term evolutionary success by ensuring that favorable traits are passed down through generations.