Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Biology/Genetics): A zygote is the initial cell formed when two gamete cells (a sperm cell and an egg cell) fuse during fertilization. It contains a complete set of chromosomes, one from each parent, and is the earliest stage of development for a new organism.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The zygote begins to divide rapidly after fertilization.
  • In humans, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus.
  • The study focused on the genetic material within the single-celled zygote.

Advanced Usage

• "Zygote formation": The process of fertilization leading to the creation of a zygote.
  • Zygote formation marks the beginning of embryonic development.
• "Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)": A type of assisted reproductive technology.
  • ZIFT involves placing a zygote directly into a fallopian tube.

Variants and Related Words

• Zygotic (adj): Pertaining to or of the nature of a zygote.
  • The zygotic stage is crucial for genetic determination.
• Zygotene (n): A stage in meiosis, the process that creates gametes. While related to reproduction, it is a distinct biological term.
• Blastocyst (n): A later stage of embryonic development that follows the zygote stage.

Synonyms

• Fertilized egg: A common, less technical term for a zygote.
• Oosphere (in botany): Specifically in plants, the female gamete which, after fertilization, becomes the oospore (analogous to a zygote).

Related Phrases

(Note: "Zygote" is a specific scientific term and does not commonly form phrasal verbs or idioms in everyday language. The following are related scientific phrases.) - Zygote genome activation: The point when the zygote's own genes begin to be expressed. - Polar body: A small cell produced alongside the egg during meiosis; often studied in relation to zygote genetics.

Noun

1. (genetics) the diploid cell resulting from the union of a haploid spermatozoon and ovum (including the organism that develops from that cell)