Sexual Reproduction

• Sexual reproduction involves two parents. Each parent contributes gametes (sex cells) that unite through fertilization to create an offspring.
• The offspring receives half of its DNA from each parent, and therefore is genetically unique.
• But, why do the same 2 parents produce different offspring every time they reproduce? The variation that occurs every time sexual reproduction takes place is due to a process called genetic recombination.
  • During meiosis (cell division that produces gametes), genes are randomly shuffled to create sex cells with a unique HALF of the parents genes.
    • The process of gene shuffling during meiosis is called genetic recombination.
    • Every gamete produced is different- there is genetic variation.
  • During fertilization, gametes unite, and the genes from the parents are combined to create a unique offspring that shares half of its genes with its mother and half of its genes with its father.

SUMMARY: Sexual reproduction, because of genetic recombination, meiosis, and fertilization, creates species that are genetically diverse.

In populations that are produced by sexual reproduction, everyone is different! Some organisms are taller, smaller, slower, faster, different colors, etc. There is a variety of traits.