3.2: Understand that Fertilisation Involves the Fusion of a Male and Female Gamete to Produce a Zygote that Undergoes Cell Division and Develops into an Embryo

FERTILISATION: Fusion of a Male and Female Gamete to Produce a Zygote that Undergoes Cell Division (Mitosis) and Develops into an Embryo

FERTILISATION

Diagram showing the Process of Fertilisation

EXPLANATION: An Egg Cell and Sperm Cell are Haploid Cells, Containing 23 Chromosomes Each (Half of the 46 Chromosomes Needed to Form a Zygote) When Fertilisation Occurs, the Fertilised Egg Cell will Form a Zygote, a Diploid Cell with 46 Chromosomes (23 Chromosomes from Each Gamete) The Zygote will Contain a Mixture of Genetic Information from Both Parents so will result in Genetic Variation