Characteristics of Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction involves the formation and fusion of special sex cells called gametes. It is a complex process.

Characteristics

• Two different sexes i.e., male and female take part in the process.

• Testis in male produces the male gametes or sperms and the ovary in female produces female gametes or ova.

• Gametes are formed by meiosis or reduction division and so are haploid in nature.

• Sperms are motile and move towards ovum for fertilisation.

• Sperms and ova come into contact with each other and fuse to form a zygote or egg by a process called fertilisation.

• It involves slow multiplication.

• Variations appear due to new combinations of genes during crossing over.

• Daughter organisms or offsprings are genetically different from the parents.

• The diploid zygote then divides by mitosis and passes through different develomental phases to transform into a multicellular individual.