Sexual reproduction

Sexual reproduction is a process of reproduction involving the merging of two gametes from the same species to produce a new organism. One advantage of this form of reproduction over asexual reproduction is that the DNA of the offspring is significantly different from that of the two gametes; this allows species to change more rapidly than through mutation alone. The DNA is different because each contributing organism randomly and independently donates half of their DNA to the sex cells in a process called meiosis. These cells then, through a variety of processes, depending on the particular species, meet and merge together to produce a new organism with different DNA.

Reproduction in flowering plants

In flowering plants, a stamen produces gametes called pollen grains, which attach to a pistil, in which the female gametes (ovules) are located. Here, the female gamete is fertilized and develops into a seed. The ovary, which produced the gamete then grows into a fruit, which surrounds the seed(s). Plants may either self-pollinate or cross-pollinate.

Related Topics:
Flowering plants - Stamen - Pollen grains - Pistil - Fruit - Self-pollinate - Cross-pollinate

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