Final answer:
The reproductive system enables the production and fertilization of gametes, facilitating sexual reproduction which combines genetic material from males and females to create genetically diverse offspring.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reproductive system is the human organ system responsible for the production and fertilization of gametes (sperm and eggs) and the carrying of a fetus. Both male and female reproductive systems have organs called gonads (testes in males, ovaries in females) that produce gametes and sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen. These hormones influence the development of sex organs, sexual maturation at puberty, and reproductive processes after puberty.
During sexual reproduction, the genetic material from two individuals, male and female, combines to produce genetically diverse offspring. This enhances the species' ability to survive in changing environments. Males and females produce haploid gametes through spermatogenesis and oogenesis, respectively. Males typically produce smaller gametes known as sperm, while females produce larger gametes called eggs. These gametes unite during fertilization to form a diploid zygote, which then develops into a new individual.