Meiosis and fertilization in sexual reproduction produce among offspring
True
Meiosis and fertilization are two important processes in sexual reproduction that contribute to the genetic diversity among offspring.
Meiosis is the process of cell division that occurs in the reproductive cells, specifically in the gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females). During meiosis, a single diploid cell divides twice to produce four haploid cells, called gametes. Each gamete contains only half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This reduction in chromosome number is important for maintaining the correct number of chromosomes in sexually reproducing organisms.
Fertilization, on the other hand, is the fusion of two gametes, one from each parent, to form a zygote. This typically occurs during sexual intercourse in most animals. The zygote is a diploid cell with a complete set of chromosomes, half from each parent. This fusion restores the full complement of chromosomes, allowing for the development of a new individual.
The combination of genetic material from two parents through fertilization leads to genetic diversity among offspring. The genetic information in the gametes is a result of the random assortment of chromosomes during meiosis and the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes called crossing over. These processes introduce variation in the genetic makeup of the gametes, and consequently, in the offspring.
Furthermore, each parent contributes a unique combination of alleles (different forms of genes) to their offspring through fertilization. This combination of alleles determines various traits and characteristics of the offspring, such as eye color, hair texture, and even susceptibility to certain diseases.
In summary, meiosis and fertilization in sexual reproduction result in offspring with genetic diversity due to the random assortment of chromosomes during meiosis and the combination of unique alleles from each parent during fertilization. This diversity is essential for the survival and adaptation of species in changing environments.