Final answer:
A child inherits equally from both parents genetically because each parent contributes one half of the child's genetic material. The egg provides cellular components in addition to genetic material, while the sperm primarily contributes chromosomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In humans, the egg is larger than the sperm because it contributes all the cytoplasm and organelles to the zygote, while the sperm only contributes one set of chromosomes. However, despite the physical size difference, a child inherits equally from its mother and father genetically. Each parent provides one half of the child's genetic material, resulting in a full complement of 23 chromosomes from each, making up the 46 chromosomes that comprise the human genome. This equal genetic contribution ensures that the offspring inherits traits from both parents, even though the egg is much larger in size and contributes more in terms of cellular components. During fertilization, the tiny sperm cell with its flagella tail and genetic material unites with the much larger egg cell, initiating the development of a new individual with a unique combination of genes.