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xual reproduction first probably evolved about a billion years ago within ancestral single-
celled eukaryotes.[9] The reason for the evolution of sex, and the reason(s) it has survived to the
present, are still matters of debate. Some of the many plausible theories include: that sex creates
variation among offspring, sex helps in the spread of advantageous traits, that sex helps in the
removal of disadvantageous traits, and that sex facilitates repair of germ-line DNA.
Sexual reproduction is a process specific to eukaryotes, organisms whose cells contain a nucleus
and mitochondria. In addition to animals, plants, and fungi, other eukaryotes (e.g.
the malaria parasite) also engage in sexual reproduction. Some bacteria use conjugation to transfer
genetic material between cells; while not the same as sexual reproduction, this also results in the
mixture of genetic traits.
The defining characteristic of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes is the difference between the
gametes and the binary nature of fertilization. Multiplicity of gamete types within a species would still
be considered a form of sexual reproduction. However, no third gamete type is known in multicellular
plants or animals.[10][11][12]
While the evolution of sex dates to the prokaryote or early eukaryote stage, [citation needed] the origin
of chromosomal sex determination may have been fairly early in eukaryotes (see evolution of
anisogamy). The ZW sex-determination system is shared by birds, some fish and some crustaceans.
XY sex determination is used by most mammals,[13] but also some insects,[14] and plants (Silene
latifolia).[15] The X0 sex-determination is found in most arachnids, insects such
as silverfish (Apterygota), dragonflies (Paleoptera) and grasshoppers (Exopterygota), and some
nematodes, crustaceans, and gastropods.[16][17]
No genes are shared between the avian ZW and mammal XY chromosomes, [18] and from a
comparison between chicken and human, the Z chromosome appeared similar to
the autosomal chromosome 9 in human, rather than X or Y, suggesting that the ZW and XY sex-
determination systems do not share an origin, but that the sex chromosomes are derived from
autosomal chromosomes of the common ancestor of birds and mammals. A paper from 2004
compared the chicken Z chromosome with platypus X chromosomes and suggested that the two
systems are related.[19]

Sexual reproduction
Main article: Sexual reproduction

Further information: Isogamy and Anisogamy
The life cycle of sexually reproducing organisms cycles through haploid and diploid stages

Sexual reproduction in eukaryotes is a process whereby organisms produce offspring that combine
genetic traits from both parents. Chromosomes are passed on from one generation to the next in this
process. Each cell in the offspring has half the chromosomes of the mother and half of the father.
[20]
 Genetic traits are contained within the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of chromosomes—by
combining one of each type of chromosomes from each parent, an organism is formed containing a
doubled set of chromosomes. This double-chromosome stage is called "diploid", while the single-
chromosome stage is "haploid". Diploid organisms can, in turn, form haploid cells (gametes) that
randomly contain one of each of the chromosome pairs, via meiosis.[21] Meiosis also involves a stage
of chromosomal crossover, in which regions of DNA are exchanged between matched types of
chromosomes, to form a new pair of mixed