Question

Animals exhibiting external fertilisation produce a large number of gametes. Pick the appropriate reason from the following.

• A. The animals are small in size and want to produce more offspring.
• B. Food is available in plenty of water.
• C. To ensure better chance of fertilisation.
• D. Water promotes production of large number of gametes.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

To ensure better chance of fertilisation.

The correct option is C.
Explanation for the correct option:

1. The process of fusing male and female gametes outside the body or in the external environment is known as external fertilization.
2. Animals produce a high amount of male gametes to assure improved chances of fertilization because the chances of fertilization decrease as gametes are released into the environment.
3. Every animal has more offspring than it can keep alive long enough to reproduce.
4. This raises the possibility that at least one child will live to adulthood and pass on the parent's genetic makeup.
5. The level of parental care provided is frequently correlated with the number of offspring produced.

Explanations for the incorrect options:
Option A:

1. Animals produce a high amount of male gametes to assure improved chances of fertilization because the chances of fertilization decrease as gametes are released into the environment.

Option B:

1. Only in water and not on land does external fertilization take place.
2. Because water allows both an extended duration of gamete survival and simple transportation of sperm toward the egg, external fertilization of the female gamete by the male gamete occurs primarily in water.

Option D:

1. A lot of gametes are produced as a result of water.
2. The likelihood of their gametes being swept away by water, wind, and rain is higher since they release them in water.
3. Hence increasing the likelihood of fertilization.
   

Final answer: To ensure a better chance of fertilization is the appropriate reason for the following.