A few statements with regard to sexual reprodction are given below.
(i) Sexual reproduction does not always require two individuals.
(ii) Sexual reproduction generally involves gametic fusion.
(iii) Meiosis never occurs during sexual reproduction.
(iv) External fertilisation is a rule during sexual reproduction.
Choose the correct statements from the option below.

Options

A. I and iv
B. I aand ii
C. ii and iii
D. I and iv

Answer

To solve the question regarding the statements about sexual reproduction, we will analyze each statement one by one to determine their correctness.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Statement (i): Sexual reproduction does not always require two individuals.**
- This statement is **true**. Sexual reproduction can occur in organisms that are hermaphroditic, meaning they possess both male and female reproductive organs. For example, in tapeworms, a single organism can produce both male and female gametes, allowing for sexual reproduction without the need for another individual. Similarly, many flowers are bisexual and can self-fertilize.

2. **Statement (ii): Sexual reproduction generally involves gametic fusion.**
- This statement is also **true**. Sexual reproduction typically involves the fusion of male and female gametes (fertilization). This fusion is a fundamental aspect of sexual reproduction, as it leads to the formation of a zygote, which develops into a new organism.

3. **Statement (iii): Meiosis never occurs during sexual reproduction.**
- This statement is **false**. Meiosis is crucial for the production of gametes (sperm and eggs). In sexual reproduction, gametes are formed through meiosis, which reduces the chromosome number by half, ensuring that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number of chromosomes.

4. **Statement (iv): External fertilization is a rule during sexual reproduction.**
- This statement is **false**. While external fertilization occurs in many aquatic organisms (like fish and amphibians), sexual reproduction can also involve internal fertilization, which is common in mammals, reptiles, and birds. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that external fertilization is a rule; both internal and external fertilization can occur.

### Conclusion:
Based on the analysis:
- **Correct Statements**: (i) and (ii)
- **Incorrect Statements**: (iii) and (iv)

Thus, the correct answer is that statements (i) and (ii) are true regarding sexual reproduction.