# During sexual reproduction in flowering plants, fertilisation produces a zygote. Describe the roles of the male and female gametes in sexual reproduction in flowering plants, and explain how the process leads to variation in the offspring.

> Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0) — 2.3 Sexual reproduction in animals and plants · Describe and Explain · 5 marks

> Flowering plants reproduce sexually by producing male and female gametes that fuse during fertilisation. The offspring produced show variation compared with both parent plants.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Pollen grain / pollen contains the male gamete (haploid)
2. Ovule / egg cell is the female gamete (haploid) / female gamete is found in the ovary
3. Fertilisation occurs when the male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote (diploid)
4. Each gamete is haploid / contains half the number of chromosomes, so offspring receive genetic material from both parents
5. This mixing / combination of genetic information from two parents results in genetic variation in the offspring

## Key terms

- [gamete](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/gamete)
- [fertilisation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fertilisation)
- [zygote](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/zygote)
- [variation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/variation)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/during-sexual-reproduction-in-flowering-plants-84e592fe) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.