gamete

gamete

gamete A specialized haploid cell (sometimes called a sex cell) whose nucleus and often cytoplasm fuses with that of another gamete (from the opposite sex or mating type) in the process of fertilization, thus forming a diploid zygote. In the lower plants the male gamete is a motile antherozoid, which needs water as a medium in which to move, similar to the spermatozoon in animals, and the female gamete is contained in the archegonium. In higher plants the male gamete is contained in the male gametophyte (microspore) and the female gamete is contained in the female gametophyte (megaspore); fertilization takes place only after the gametophytes come into contact (pollination) and the male gamete can be released without having to leave the plant. This adaptation, permitting fertilization in the absence of water, is analagous to internal fertilization in animals, and, like internal fertilization of animals, is an adaptation to dry environments. Usually there are many small male gametes, but only a few or one female gamete.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "gamete." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "gamete." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-gamete.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "gamete." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-gamete.html

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gamete

gamete A specialized haploid (see HAPLOID NUMBER) cell (sometimes called a sex cell) whose nucleus and often cytoplasm fuses with that of another gamete (from the opposite sex or mating type) in the process of fertilization, thus forming a diploid zygote. In some animals (e.g. mammals) the gametes are differentiated: the male is a motile sperm with reduced cytoplasm, and the female is immobile with a large amount of cytoplasm called the egg or ovum, which develops when stimulated. Usually there are many small male gametes, but only a few or one female gamete.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "gamete." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "gamete." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-gamete.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "gamete." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-gamete.html

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gamete

gamete A reproductive cell that fuses with another gamete to form a zygote. Examples of gametes are ova and spermatozoa. Gametes are haploid, i.e. they contain half the normal (diploid) number of chromosomes; thus when two fuse, the diploid number is restored (see fertilization). Gametes are formed by meiosis. Gametes often differ in size, the smaller (usually male) gamete being known as the microgamete and the larger (usually female) as the macrogamete. See also sexual reproduction.

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"gamete." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"gamete." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-gamete.html

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gamete

gam·ete / ˈgamēt; gəˈmēt/ • n. Biol. a mature haploid male or female germ cell that is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote. DERIVATIVES: ga·met·ic / gəˈmetik/ adj.

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"gamete." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"gamete." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gamete.html

"gamete." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gamete.html

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gamete

gamete Reproductive sex cell that joins with another sex cell to form a new organism. Female gametes (ova) are usually motionless; male gametes (sperm) often have a tail (flagellum) enabling them to swim to the ovum. All gametes are haploid having a single set of chromosomes in each cell.

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"gamete." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"gamete." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-gamete.html

"gamete." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-gamete.html

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gamete

gamete A specialized haploid cell (i.e. a sex cell) the nucleus and often the cytoplasm of which fuse with that of another gamete from the opposite sex or mating type in the process of fertilization.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "gamete." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "gamete." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-gamete.html

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gamete

gamete (gam-eet) n. a mature sex cell: the ovum of the female or the spermatozoon of the male. Gametes are haploid, containing half the normal number of chromosomes.

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"gamete." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"gamete." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-gamete.html

"gamete." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-gamete.html

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gamete

gamete XIX. — modL. gameta — Gr. gametḗ wife, gamétēs husband, f. gámos marriage.

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T. F. HOAD. "gamete." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "gamete." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gamete.html

T. F. HOAD. "gamete." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gamete.html

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gamete

gamete : see reproduction .

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"gamete." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"gamete." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-gamete.html

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gamete

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"gamete." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

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