zygote

[ zahy-goht, zig-oht ]

noun

, Biology.

1. the cell produced by the union of two gametes, before it undergoes cleavage.

zygote

/ ˈzɪɡ-; zɪ-; ˈzaɪɡəʊt; zaɪˈɡɒtɪk /

noun

1. the cell resulting from the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon
2. the organism that develops from such a cell

zygote

/ zī′gōt′ /

1. The cell formed by the union of the nuclei of two reproductive cells (gametes), especially a fertilized egg cell.

zygote

1. The single cell that results from fertilization of an ovum by a sperm . After dividing several times, it implants in the uterus . It continues to divide, producing more cells and passing through the stages of embryo and fetus .

Derived Forms

• zyˈgotically, adverb
• zygotic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zygote¹

1885–90; < Greek zygōtós yoked, equivalent to zygō-, variant stem of zygoûn to yoke, join together (derivative of zygón yoke ¹ ) + -tos adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of zygote¹

C19: from Greek zugōtos yoked, from zugoun to yoke

Example Sentences

So to better understand what makes a zygote split to form identical twins, “it makes sense to look at epigenetics,” van Dongen says.

From Science News

It’s possible that some of these epigenetic changes tell a zygote to split.

From Science News

The zygote was then returned to the mother’s uterus, where it could implant and grow in an otherwise normal pregnancy.

From Science News

This ensures that the zygote will have a normal genetic complement of just two pairs of 23 chromosomes, one from the mother and one from the father, rather than a grossly inflated number that would result if multiple sperm fertilized the egg.

From Science News

The zygote contains all the genetic information it needs to become a new individual.

From Science News For Students

From such a cell (zygote), half male, half female, the body of every living organism has sprung.

From Project Gutenberg

If this is true, the centrosome of the zygote nucleus must be entirely derived from that of the male pronucleus.

From Project Gutenberg

The first change the zygote undergoes in all animals is what is generally called the segmentation or cleavage of the ovum.

From Project Gutenberg

Is it, in other words, an unalterable property of the zygote, a genetic character?

From Project Gutenberg

But when the zygote in its turn comes to form gametes, the partnership is broken and the process is reversed.

From Project Gutenberg