Question

Fertilization can be correctly defined as fusion of

• A. Male and female pronuclei.
• B. Cytoplasm of male and female gametes.
• C. Two gametes.
• D. Male and female gametes of the same species.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Male and female gametes of the same species.

Sexual reproduction is a characteristic of animals, although many animals reproduce sexually as well asexually. Reproduction is essential to the survival of any species. Most animals are involved in some variety of sexual reproduction. The methods vary greatly from the simultaneous release of sperm and eggs into the water for many marine organisms, to fertilization inside the body for most terrestrial organisms and high degrees of parental care in birds and mammals.

Fertilization is defined as a process of fusion of male and female gametes. The gametes are special haploid cells. The most widely accepted definition of species is the biological species- according to which members of same species alone can carry on the process of sexual reproduction (including fertilization) and produce fertile offspring.