68.2k views
3 votes
Are haploid gametes always required for successful sexual reproduction in multicellular plants or animals? Yes No

User Qi Fan
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

1 vote

Answer:

In multicellular plants and animals, effective sexual reproduction always requires haploid gametes. These gametes combine during fertilisation to create a zygote, which then grows into an embryo and finally gives birth to a new person. In addition to ensuring genetic variety throughout populations, this mechanism is essential for the survival and species evolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

In sexual reproduction, two people share genetic material to create children who combine characteristics from both parents. Gametes, which are specialised cells with half as many chromosomes as somatic cells, are fused during this process. Gametes are diploid, which means they have two sets of chromosomes, whereas somatic cells are haploid, which means they have just one pair.

Sexual reproduction takes place in multicellular plants through the development of flowers and seeds. Pollen grains containing male gametes are produced by the male reproductive organs, known as stamens. The ovules, which house the female gametes, are found in the female reproductive structures known as pistils.

Similar to this, in multicellular animals, specialised organs produce gametes during sexual reproduction. Unlike females, who generate egg cells in the ovaries, males produce sperm in the testes. Sperm is transported to the female reproductive system during mating and moves in the direction of the egg cell. When a sperm cell successfully enters an egg cell and combines with it to generate a zygote, fertilisation has taken place. After then, the zygote goes through cell division and develops into an embryo.

Maintaining genetic variety within a population depends on the use of haploid gametes in sexual reproduction. Each parent contributes a unique collection of genetic information to their gametes through processes such as meiosis, ensuring that each gamete bears a particular combination of alleles. When two gametes merge during fertilisation, they produce offspring with a diverse mix of genetic features inherited from both parents. The survival and adaption of organisms to shifting environments are facilitated by this genetic variety.

User Teck
by
9.1k points