Question

Animals exhibiting external fertilization produce a large number of gametes. The reason for this

Answer 1

Answer:

Organisms that take part in such process produce large number of gametes because (i) In external fertilization, there is a great chance that the sperm and the eggs released by the organisms can be affected by factors present in the environment like dessication ,predators, etc.So, to make up for the high fatality rate of the gametes, the organism produces a lot of gametes. (ii) Producing large number of gametes increase the chance for at least some eggs and sperms to meet in the environment ensuring that atleast a stable number of off spring are able to survive and carry on.

or

The external fertilisation is the process of fusion of male and female gametes outside the body or in outer environment. As animal releases gametes in the external environment, there are the minimum chances of fertilisation and thus, large number of male gametes are produced to ensure better chances of fertilisation.