Understanding:
• The halving of the chromosome number allows a sexual life cycle with fusion of gametes
Most sexually reproducing organisms are diploid, meaning they have two copies of every chromosome (maternal / paternal copy)
- In order to reproduce, these organisms need to make gametes that are haploid (one copy of each chromosome)
Fertilisation of two haploid gametes (egg + sperm) will result in the formation of a diploid zygote that can grow via mitosis
- If chromosome number was not halved in gametes, total chromosome numbers would double each generation (polyploidy)
Sexual Life Cycle
