Sexual reproduction

How Some Living Things Make New Life

Many living things make new babies in a special way called sexual reproduction. This way uses tiny cells from two parents. One parent gives a cell called sperm, and the other parent gives a cell called an egg. When these cells join, they make a new cell called a zygote. The zygote grows and becomes a new living thing.

This way of making new life is used by animals, plants, and fungi. It is important because it mixes the parents’ tiny parts, called genes. This mixing helps the new babies be strong and able to change when the world around them changes.

In animals, like humans, the male and female usually come together. This helps the sperm meet the egg. For example, many insects, like dragonflies, also have males and females. The male puts sperm into the female, and she keeps it safe until she is ready to make eggs.

Plants also use this special way. Flowering plants have pretty parts called flowers. Inside flowers, they make tiny male cells called pollen and places for female cells. When pollen moves to the right spot on a flower, it helps make a new plant inside a tiny seed.

Sexual reproduction helps living things stay healthy and strong for a very long time. It is one of the many wonderful ways life grows and changes on our planet.