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Meiosis, sexual and asexual reproduction GapFill
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Reproduction is the process by which biological organisms produce new organisms. This process ensures that the genetic content of the organisms is passed on between many generations. The process of reproduction can be either
or asexual, which describes the way in which the new organisms are produced. Asexual reproduction produces cells by a process known as
, with
genetic content. Conversely, in
reproduction, sex cells, or gametes, are produced by a process known as
. This process produces four cells with
genetic content. Animals tend to reproduce
using cells known as
and eggs, which combines the genetic material from both parents.
In the process of , by which sex cells are produced, the number of chromosomes is , allowing a normal number of chromosomes to be restored by fertilisation. After fertilisation, the cells no longer divide by this method, and instead divide by .
There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to both methods of reproduction. While most organisms are fixed to a particular method of reproduction, some can selectively undergo their method of reproduction according to their environmental conditions. Malarial parasites are an example of this type of organism. While in the human host, the parasites undergo reproduction; however, when reproducing in a mosquito, the method used is reproduction.