Animal Reproduction

Reproduction in Animals Asexual Reproduction: A single living organism that can produce one or more identical individuals Sexual Reproduction: The combination of male and female gametes, each of which contain half of the genetic material necessary to the future offspring.

Gamete: The male or female reproductive cell that can unite with another, similar cell from the opposite sex, through a process called fertilization Sperm: The male reproductive cell, which includes a “tail” for movement (the whole structure is called a spermatozoa) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rauO_M9tb4

Ovum: The female reproductive cell, the plural is “ova” Ovum: The female reproductive cell, the plural is “ova”. Commonly called an egg. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-VKgdhfNpY&feature=related

Steps of Vertebrate Reproduction 1. Male gamete fuses with a female gamete 2. Fusion produces a cell called a zygote that contains complete genetic material 3. The zygote divides and transforms into an embryo with many cells

4. The embryo develops into a small animal 5. When the animal becomes an adult it will produce gametes and reproduce

Conditions for Sexual Reproduction 1. Male and female gametes must be at the same place at the same time 2. The zygote must obtain the nutrients and protection it needs to survive including warmth and moisture

Oviparous: Lays eggs- reptiles, birds, amphibians, insects and fish Viviparous: Fertilized ovum develops completly inside the mother’s body- almost all mammals Ovoviparous: Produce eggs but do not lay them, instead keep them inside their body- snakes