Sexual Reproduction

• Sexual reproduction: process involving the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes (sex cells) to form a zygote and the production of offspring that are genetically different from each other
• Fertilisation: the fusion of gamete nuclei
• Nuclei of gametes are haploid and that the nucleus of a zygote is diploid
• Advantages of sexual reproduction:

  • Produces genetically different offspring
  • don’t all die from change in the environment
• Disadvantages of sexual reproduction:

  • Takes lots of time and energy
  • Good characteristics can be lost
  • Energy on improving appearances or pollen volume for pollination (plants)