Explain how equal genetic contribution of male and female parents is ensured in the progeny.

During gamete formation, each gamete receives half the number of chromosomes i.e. 23. During sexual reproduction, a female gamete (having 23 chromosomes) fuses with a male gamete (having 23 chromosomes) to form zygote. Zygote is diploid (n=46) which contains 23 chromosomes from mother and 23 from father. In this way, an equal genetic contribution of male and female parents is ensured in the progeny.