Why large number of gametes are released during external fertilization?
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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.
In case of external fertilization gametes are completely at the mercy of the environment. Gametes can get blown off by wind, washed away by water or eaten by predators. So, most of the gametes perish before fertilization. To ensure the survival of the species, it is necessary to produce as many gametes as possible so that at least some of them would be able to undergo fertilization. Hence, organisms which exhibit external fertilization produce a large number of gametes.