Reproduction Definitions

Sexual Reproduction The production of new living organisms by combining genetic information from two individuals of different genders. (male and female)

Meiosis A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, the production of gametes.

Law of Segregation A law stating that during the production of gametes the two copies of each hereditary factor segregate so that offspring acquire one factor from each parent.

The Law of Independent Assortment A law that states different genes get sorted into gametes independently of one another, the allele a gamete receives for one gene does not influence the allele received for another gene.

Haploid Cells A cell that has half the usual number of chromosomes, due to meiosis. 

Diploid Cell A cell  that contains two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, as done through mitosis in sexually reproducing organisms.

Sperm Cell  The male reproductive cell of animals and plants that can unite with an egg cell to form a new individual cell. This is the male gamete.

Egg Cell The female reproductive cell of animals and plants that is fertilized by the male reproductive cell to form a new individual cell. This is the female gamete.