Using specific events in the formation of gametes and zygotes, describe why there is a greater diversity in sexual reproduction than in asexual reproduction.

Question

anonymous · Answer

Not the most reliable source, but the explanation makes sense. "In asexual reproduction there are 2 daughter cells produced that are identical to the parent cell. in sexual reproduction there are 4 genetically different daughter cells produced that are haploid (23 chromosomes). Crossing over occurs during meiosis which mixes up segments of DNA on homologous chromosomes causing new genetic variations. By the sperm fertilizing the egg, you are combining 2 completely different sets of different haploid DNA to produce a diploid offspring which is genetically different from both parents." Source: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_sexual_reproduction_result_in_more_genetic_diversity_than_asexual_reproduction

anonymous · Answer

The cells involved in sexual reproduction, called gametes, contain half the number of chromosomes as diploid cells. These haploid cells contain a single set of chromosomes to pass on to their offspring. The process for producing gametes, meiosis, reduces the diploid number of chromosomes by half to produce haploid sperm and egg cells. The haploid number (abbreviated n) for a human is 23.This means 23 chromosomes are in the male sperm and 23 chromosomes are in the female ova. Through sexual reproduction, haploid cells from each parent fuse together in a process called fertilization. The union of these gametes forms a diploid zygote.