Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The term "external reproduction" refers to the process by which many vertebrates reproduce by laying eggs in a watery environment, where sperm is then deposited nearby to fertilize those eggs. This method is common among various species, including many fish and amphibians.

In this type of reproduction, the fertilization occurs outside of the female's body, contrasting with internal reproduction, where fertilization happens inside the reproductive tract. External reproduction often allows for the production of larger quantities of eggs, which can increase the chances of offspring survival in aquatic environments where various predators may be present.

The other terms do not accurately describe the process in question. Asexual reproduction involves a single organism reproducing without the involvement of gametes or fertilization, while cloning refers to producing a genetically identical copy of an organism. Neither of these options fits the description of the aquatic reproductive process outlined in the question. Therefore, external reproduction is the correct term for this method of fertilization in water.