How many parents are involved in sexual reproduction?

In sexual reproduction, two parents are involved, contributing genetic material to create offspring. Each parent provides one set of chromosomes, which combine during fertilization to form a new organism with a unique genetic makeup. This process allows for greater genetic diversity within a population, as offspring inherit a mix of traits from both parents.

By involving two parents, sexual reproduction increases the likelihood of variation in the resulting offspring, which can be advantageous for adaptation and survival in changing environments. This contrasts with asexual reproduction, where only one parent is involved, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. Thus, the involvement of two parents is fundamental to the process of sexual reproduction and the genetic diversity it promotes.