gametes

• DNA from one generation is passed to the next by gametes
• gametes are sperm cells in males and egg cells in females. they join together at fertilisation to form a zygote, which divides and develops into a new organism
• normal body cells have the diploid number (2n) of chromosomes - meaning each cell contains two of each chromosomes, one from the mum and one from the dad
• gametes are haploid cells that contain only one copy of each chromosome
• at fertilisation, a haploid sperm fuses with a haploid egg, making a normal diploid cell. half the chromosomes are from the father (sperm) and half are from the mother (egg)
• fertilisation is random. this produces zygotes with different combinations of chromosomes to both parents
• mixing of genetic material in sexual reproduction increases genetic diversity within a species
• gametes are formed by meiosis