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Dictionary » Z » Zygote

Zygote

Definition

noun, plural: zygotes

A cell in diploid state following fertilization or union of haploid male sex cell (e.g. sperm) and haploid female sex cell (e.g. ovum).


Supplement

To be precise, zygote is the term used to refer to the cell as a result of the fusion of two haploid nuclei during fertilization until the first cleavage. When the zygote starts to divide and multiply, it is called an embryo.


Word origin: from Greek zugōtos ‘joined’, from zugoun ‘to join’.

Related forms: zygotic (adjective).

Synonym: zygocyte.
Compare: embryo.
See also: copula, zygogenesis, monozygotic twins, heterozygosity, homozygous.


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Results from our forum


meiome and genome

I thought eukaryote genetic inheritance came simply from the adding together of (recombinant) haploid chromosomes in the new zygote. But there is a lot of RNA involved? A crowd of unique proteins and mRNA in addition to the chromosomes in the gamete? See this: It is also noteworthy that ...

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by mattw
Sun May 05, 2013 2:58 am
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: meiome and genome
Replies: 0
Views: 100

Re: Gene targeting

It might be possible (in theory, though it would not be allowed) to remove a gene from a gamete or a single-celled zygote. However, in an adult human you would have to remove the gene from every cell, and there is no technology available to alter the DNA in so many cells at once.

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by jonmoulton
Tue Dec 18, 2012 4:47 pm
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Gene targeting
Replies: 14
Views: 2581

Free-flowing cells and those that are stuck together?

I've just been thinking about the development of an embryo from the zygote stage. How is it that when cytokinesis takes place, the cells all stick together in a little ball? But then, later in life, some are not bound to others (red blood cells, sperm cells, ...

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by SheffJoe
Tue May 29, 2012 8:04 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Free-flowing cells and those that are stuck together?
Replies: 2
Views: 1510

Re:

... be inherited. At the individual level, this is inconsistent with the understanding that genetic makeup - DNA sequences are established at in the zygote. Of course, expression of genetic potential con be influenced by many factors. Give us some examples please of this acquired character being ...

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by Rap
Fri May 25, 2012 6:55 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Perception and Evolution
Replies: 14
Views: 4861

Perception and Evolution

... be inherited. At the individual level, this is inconsistent with the understanding that genetic makeup - DNA sequences are established at in the zygote. Of course, expression of genetic potential con be influenced by many factors. Give us some examples please of this acquired character being ...

See entire post
by JorgeLobo
Fri May 25, 2012 10:36 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Perception and Evolution
Replies: 14
Views: 4861
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