Explanation

Sexual reproduction combines genetic material from two parents to create offspring. Gametes are special sex cells: sperm from males and eggs from females. When a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell during fertilization, a new organism begins to develop.

This fusion creates offspring with a mix of traits from both parents. The baby inherits half its genes from each parent. This mixing of genetic information creates variation and makes each offspring unique.

Asexual reproduction uses only one parent and produces identical copies. Binary fission and budding are types of asexual reproduction used by bacteria and some simple organisms. Only sexual reproduction requires two parents and the fusion of gametes.