Question

List six specific characteristics of sexual reproduction.

Answer 1

Hint: Sexual reproduction involves the creation of new living species by integrating genetic information from two different types of persons (sexes). In higher species, one sex (male) produces a small moving gamete that fuses with the other (female) a larger stationary gamete.

Complete answer:
The six specific feature of sexual reproduction are as follows:
- It takes place with the help of gametes.
- The reproduction is biparental, which means it requires two sexes, male and female.
- This method of reproduction is comparatively slower than asexual mode of reproduction.
- Genetic recombination is caused by differences when gametes from separate parents fuse during sexual reproduction.
- Variation thus plays a significant role in evolution, since it is a major element in natural selection.
- It mostly occurs in higher organisms. Also some of the lower organisms exhibit sexual mode of reproduction.

Additional information:
The sexual mode of reproduction is better than the asexual. The genetic makeup of the offspring is diverse by sexual breeding. This is because two different individuals are involved. Whereas, this is not the case in the asexual reproduction as there is only one parent involved. Sexual reproductive species survive longer than asexual reproductive species. Genetic differences help them adapt to different conditions.

In both plants and animals, sexual reproduction takes place. It is most widely used by flowering plants among plants. Sperm is present in the pollen grains of the flowers. In the base of the flora or pistil, the vase-shaped female reproductive organ produces eggs. When the pollen grains hit the top of the pistil, they reach the eggs. Each zygote becomes a seed which can become a new plant in the soil.

Sexual transmission takes place in animals in a number of ways. In certain species, including fish, after laying the female, the male releases sperm over the eggs. In other animals, including the birds and most mammals, males release sperm into the female reproductive tract like humans. Some species are hermaphrodites (such as earthworms), they have reproductive organs for both males and females and can contain both sperm and eggs. However, it combines with other earthworms to create genetically diverse worms.

Note: Sexual reproduction requires the presence of two parents (both male and female). The reductional division forms gametes; hence, they only produce half the number of parent chromosomes. A new mixture of genes occurs during crossing over resulting in variations.