Sexual
Reproduction
Key Point #1
• Sexual reproduction is the process in
which organisms produce gametes
that combine during fertilization to
create a new organism.
• This process is important so that
organisms can make more of their
own kind. (ROGER!)
Key Point #2
• Meiosis is the 1st step of sexual
reproduction.
• Meiosis is a special form of cell
division that occurs in the sex
organs of organisms – testes
(male) and ovaries (female).
• Meiosis produces sperm and egg
This diagram represents sexual
reproduction in rabbits
“A” represents meiosis (step 1)
“B” represents fertilization (step 2)
Key Point #3
During meiosis, one cell
divides into 4 gametes,
or egg and sperm cells.
Draw this in your notes
• This is meiosis 
• One cell divides into ____.
• What is being formed
here?
• What percent of the
chromosomes does it have
in relation to the parent?
Draw this in your notes:
• This is meiosis 
• One cell divides
into 4 gametes.
• How many
chromosomes are
found in the parent
cell?
• How many
chromosomes are
found in the
gametes?
• What fraction or percent is
this?
Key Point #4
Egg and sperm cells contain
half of the DNA
(chromosomes) as the
parent’s normal body
cells.
How is this different from MITOSIS?
Characteristic
Number of parent
cells
Produces
Amount of DNA in
daughter cells
Occurs in
What occurs after
the process?
Mitosis
Meiosis
Let’s Practice: Copy this in your notes
Chromosomes
Chromosomes Chromosomes
Organism in normal body in egg cell in sperm cell
cells
Human
Fruit fly
Corn plant
Cow
Dog
Elephant
Potato
23
4
10
60
39
56
24
Key Point #5
Step 2 of sexual
reproduction is when
egg and sperm cells
meet. This is called
fertilization.
Which method shows fertilization?
A/B shows asexual reproduction.
A/B shows sexual reproduction.
Key Point #6
Fertilization creates a new
organism that has the same
number of chromosomes as
the parent:
half came from mom …
half came from
dad.