Sexual reproduction requiresgametes, also known as sex cells, which include sperm cells and egg cells.
Gametes contain half the genetic material of a normal cell, also known as haploid cells.
When two gametes combine, they form a normal cell, also known as a diploid cell.
The process of meiosis is required to form gametes.
Meiosis consists of several steps: replication of DNA, formation of X-shaped chromosomes, alignment of chromosomes along the center of the cell, and division of the cell into two.
During the first division of meiosis, all chromosomes line up along the center of the cell in pairs.
The second division of meiosis involves the division of the cell into two, with each half receiving a different combination of maternal and paternal chromosomes.
Meiosis results in the formation of four genetically unique cells, also known as gametes.
In male animals, these gametes would probably develop into sperm cells.
In female animals, these gametes would probably develop into egg cells.
If a sperm and egg fused during fertilization, they would form a diploid cell that could divide by mitosis over and over again until it forms an embryo and then a fetus and then a fully grown organism.