Sexual reproduction involves the formation of the male and female gametes, either by the same individual or by different individuals of the opposite sex.
These gametes fuse to form the zygote which develops to form the new organism.
It is an elaborate, complex and slow process as compared to asexual reproduction.
Because of the fusion of male and female gametes, sexual reproduction results in offspring that are not identical to the parents or amongst themselves.
It involves the following stages:
Formation of haploid sex cells called gametes called gametogenesis
A fusion of the two gametes during fertilization
Mitotic divisions in the zygote to form embryo called embryogenesis
Growth and development of the embryo
Characteristics of Sexual Reproduction:
It is biparental.
Gametes are always formed.
Fertilization takes place.
It involves both mitosis and meiosis.
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