Zygote — Science definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- The single cell formed at fertilisation, carrying a combination of both parents' genetic information; not a miniature organism but the cell one is built from. (Life Science & Scientific Inquiry)
- The cell formed through fertilization. (Life Science: Biology)
Where it is taught
- Sexual & Asexual Reproduction — Coordination, Defense & Reproduction, Life Science & Scientific Inquiry, Grade 7
- Reproduction & Development — Cell Division, Reproduction & Development, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
In use
Sexual reproduction involves fertilisation — the fusion of two gametes, one from each parent — producing a zygote that develops into a new individual carrying a combination of genetic information from both.
Sexual & Asexual Reproduction
In a simple diploid animal model, meiosis produces haploid gametes; fertilization restores the diploid chromosome number in a zygote.
Reproduction & Development