Question

Describe the major events in sexual reproduction.

Answer 1

Sexual reproduction is the production of offspring usually by two parents, male and female. It involves four major events-

• Formation of the special haploid cell, the gametes, by meiosis.
  
• Fusion of the gametes in pairs, forming a diploid cell, the zygote.
  
• Repeated mitotic divisions of the zygote to form embryos.
  

• The growth of an embryo into a new individual.
  

Sexual reproduction occurs nearly in all animals, including those which reproduce asexually. Some protozoans, such as amoeba, euglena lacks sexual reproduction.

In male and female, and the difference between them is determined genetically. The male produces the male gamete sperm which is motile and the female produces the female gamete the ova.