Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction is a biological process involving the fusion of gametes (egg & sperm) to form zygote, resulting in offspring with genetic differences. Sexual reproduction involves variation due to two different parents involved. 

Sexual reproduction is how many living things make babies. It involves two parents, typically a male and a female, coming together to create offspring. Each parent contributes a special cell called a gamete, which contains half of their genetic information. These gametes join together during a process called fertilization, forming a new cell called a zygote. This zygote then grows into a new individual with a unique combination of traits inherited from both parents. This process helps create genetic diversity, which is important for the survival of species.

Type of Cells:

Somatic cells: Any cell of a living organism other than the reproductive cells.

Sex cells: Sex cells are called gametes. There are two types of sex cells, eggs(ova) in females and sperm in males. Eggs are produced by ovaries, present in females & sperm produced by testes in males. These sex cells are produced as a result of a cell division process called Meiosis

Haploid vs. Diploid cells

Gamete, also called sex cells (reproductive cells), contains half the number of cells than the original cells. For example, a human contains 46 chromosomes, 2 copies of each chromosome. A gamete will have 23 chromosomes, 1 set of chromosomes for each organism. 

Elephants typically have a diploid chromosome number of 56, so its gamete will contain 27 chromosomes.

The process of production of gametes is known as gametogenesis (gameto = gamete, genesis = production).

Gametes, such as sperm cells in males and Egg Cells in females, are haploid cells containing half the usual number of chromosomes found in regular body cells. 

Summary: 

Haploid cells have half the usual chromosomes and are used to form special cells called gametes. Gametes from Mom and Dad combine during fertilization to create a diploid cell with a full set of chromosomes, shaping a unique individual.

Fertilization

The male gamete (sperm) and the female gamete (egg) unite during fertilization, forming a single cell called a zygote. Fertilization typically occurs through the fusion of the sperm and egg during sexual intercourse.

Formation of Zygote

The zygote is a diploid cell, containing the complete set of chromosomes. It inherits half of its genetic material from the mother (through the egg) and half from the father (through the sperm).

Embryonic Development

The zygote undergoes cell division, leading to the formation of an embryo. As cell divisions continue, the embryo develops into a multicellular organism.