Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction is one of the two methods of reproduction, the other being asexual reproduction. In sexual reproduction, offsprings or new organisms are developed by the fusion of male and female gametes. And, there is intermixing of hereditary characteristics. As a result, the offsprings produced by sexual reproduction are genetically different from their parent(s).
Important Terminologies
Features
Following are some features of sexual reproduction:
- Not all living beings can produce sexually. Only those with (same or different) male and female reproductive parts can reproduce by this method.
- It involves the fusion of male and female gametes.
- The offsprings produced by this method are genetically different from their parents.
- Offsprings take longer time to get mature, in comparison to offpsrings from asexual reproduction.
Sexual Reproduction in Plants
In plants, sexual reproduction takes place by means of flowers.
Sexual Reproduction in Animals
In animals, sexual reproduction takes place by the fusion of male gamete (n) and female gamete (n) to form zygote (2n). Here, n signifies that male and female gametes are haploid and 2n signifies that the zygote is diploid.
Advantages
Sexual reproduction invovles the fusion of male and female gametes which results in the formation of hybrid offsprings. Thus, following are some of the advantages of sexual reproduction:
- It helps to bring variation in offsprings. As a result, organic evolution is possible.
- Hybrid offsprings can be produced.