The production of egg and sperm cells is necessary for sexual reproduction because —

a
it increases the number of chromosomes so that the gametes can combine, giving the organism a complete set of chromosomes
b
it reduces the number of chromosomes so the gametes can combine, giving the organism a complete set of chromosomes
c
it increases the number of developing offspring
d
it decreases the number of developing offspring

The correct answer is a) it increases the number of chromosomes so that the gametes can combine, giving the organism a complete set of chromosomes.