Question

In the life cycle of an organism, meiosis is paired with the process of fertilization. understanding the life cycle of an organism is the key to understanding how sexual reproduction ensures the inheritance of traits from both parents and also introduces genetic variation. complete the diagram to show the life cycle of a typical animal.

Answer 1

Meiosis creates gametes (eggs and sperm) with only a single chromosome set (haploid or n) from parental cells with two chromosome sets (diploid or 2n). During fertilization, the haploid sperm (n) and egg (n) fuse, producing a diploid zygote (2n). The cells of the zygote then divide by mitosis (which does not change the ploidy level) to produce an adult organism (still 2n) of the next generation. 
In sexual life cycles, meiosis and fertilization keep the number of chromosomes constant from generation to generation.