11.2 Sexual Reproduction

Last updated at July 3, 2026 by

💡 Two parents, new mixes

Why do children resemble their parents yet never copy them exactly? Because sexual reproduction shuffles characters from two parents into a fresh, one-of-a-kind combination.

What is sexual reproduction?
Sexual Reproduction Two parents each gives a gamete Meiosis halves the chromosomes offspring form when gametes from two parents fuse, inheriting a mix of characters.
  • It involves two parents , both contributing to the genetic material of the offspring.
  • Offspring inherit a mix of characters from the two individuals, so they differ slightly from the parents.
  • To stop the chromosome number doubling each generation, a special cell division called meiosis is used.
Asexual vs Sexual Reproduction
Asexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction
Involves a single parent
Involves two parents
Offspring are genetically identical (clones)
Offspring inherit a mix of characters
No gametes; based on mitosis
Gametes fuse; involves meiosis
Fast, but little variation
Slower, but creates variation
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