What Do You Understand by Sexual Reproduction?

Sexual reproduction is a natural process where two parents, male and female, combine their reproductive cells to produce offspring that share traits from both parents.

Sexual reproduction means creating a new organism through the fusion of male and female sex cells called gametes. The male gamete is usually the sperm, and the female gamete is the egg or ovum. When these two cells join during fertilization, they form a new cell called a zygote, which develops into a baby organism.

Key Features of Sexual Reproduction:

• Involves two parents
• Includes formation and fusion of gametes
• Leads to variation among offspring
• Occurs in humans, animals, and many plants

Steps in Sexual Reproduction:

1. Formation of Gametes: Male and female reproductive organs make gametes.
2. Fertilization: The sperm and egg fuse to form a zygote.
3. Development: The zygote divides and grows into a new organism.

Importance of Sexual Reproduction:

• Creates genetic diversity in a species
• Improves chances of survival and adaptation
• Eliminates harmful genes over generations