Question

What is meant by sexual reproduction? Name its two main processes.

Answer 1

Sexual reproduction is the process which results in the creation of a new organism by combining the genetic material of two organisms. The two main processes involved in sexual reproduction are meiosis and fertilization.

(a) Meiosis: It is a process in which the number of chromosomes is halved ($2n$ to $n$) and haploid gametes are formed.

(b) Fertilization: It is a process in which the male gamete fuses with the female gamete to form diploid zygote. It restores the number of chromosomes ($2n$).