9781422276143

Sexual Reproduction In sexual reproduction the formation and fusion of two gametes is involved. Meiosis occurs prior to the formation of gametes, and it results in chance segregation and chance recombination of genes during the formation of an offspring. In other words, it generates variations. Thus, sexual reproduction adds variability in offspring during meiosis. If such variations accumulate on a very large scale in an offspring, they may result in formation of new species.

Egg

Sperm

Zygote

SIDEBAR: DID YOU KNOW?

• The term genetics derives from the Greek word genesis (meaning descent), and was coined by William Bateson in 1906. • A group of scientists kept some fruit flies in the dark for 57 years, or more than 1,400 generations. In time, the flies developed traits that enabled them to better function in darkness.

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