zygote

zygote

zygote Derived from the Greek meaning ‘yoked’, a zygote is the cell that results from fertilization. It is the union of a spermatozoon and an ovum — the mature germ cells, known also as the male and female gametes (from the Greek for husband and wife). Each of the two gametes is haploid, meaning that the nucleus has half the number of chromosomes of normal body cells. Their union results in the diploid zygote, with a full set of chromosomes, carrying the combination of genes that will determine all the bodily characteristics of the new individual. When, as a result of this union, matched genes (alleles) at particular sites on the newly paired chromosomes are different from each other, the zygote, and hence the resulting individual, is heterozygous with respect to those genes. It is homozygous if the pairs are identical. Since one of a dissimilar pair of genes can dominate the other, whereas identical pairs can act in unison, this is crucial to the suppression or emergence of the relevant inherited trait.

The zygote carries within its single cell continuing threads in the immemorial lifespan of the human race, as well as the mixed-and-matched microscopic material from which will stem the intricacies common to all human bodies, yet with the remarkable uniqueness of a particular person.

Sheila Jennett, and Colin Blakemore

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COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "zygote." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "zygote." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-zygote.html

COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "zygote." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-zygote.html

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zygote

zygote In sexual reproduction, a cell formed by fusion of a male and a female gamete. It contains a diploid (two sets) number of chromosomes, half contributed by the sperm, half by the ovum. Through successive cell divisions, the zygote will develop into an embryo.

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"zygote." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"zygote." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-zygote.html

"zygote." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-zygote.html

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zygote

zy·gote / ˈzīˌgōt/ • n. Biol. a diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes; a fertilized ovum. DERIVATIVES: zy·got·ic / zīˈgätik/ adj.

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"zygote." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"zygote." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-zygote.html

"zygote." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-zygote.html

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zygote

zygote The fertilized ovum of an animal or plant formed from the fusion of male and female gametes, when, under normal circumstances, the diploid chromosome number is restored, in the stage before it undergoes division.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "zygote." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "zygote." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-zygote.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "zygote." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-zygote.html

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zygote

zygote The fertilized ovum of an animal, formed from the fusion of male and female gametes when, under normal circumstances, the diploid chromosome number is restored, in the stage before it undergoes division.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "zygote." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "zygote." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-zygote.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "zygote." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-zygote.html

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zygote

zygote A fertilized female gamete: the product of the fusion of the nucleus of the ovum or ovule with the nucleus of the sperm or pollen grain. See fertilization.

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"zygote." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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"zygote." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-zygote.html

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zygote

zygote (zy-goht) n. the fertilized ovum before cleavage begins. z. intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) see gamete intrafallopian transfer.

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"zygote." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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zygote

zygote The fertilized ovum of a plant or animal.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "zygote." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "zygote." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-zygote.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "zygote." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-zygote.html

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zygote

zygote see reproduction .

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"zygote." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"zygote." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-zygote.html

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zygote

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"zygote." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

ZYGOTES & BLASTOCYSTS : Human enough to protect?(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: Commonweal; 6/14/2002
Zygote screening may improve outcome in IVF.(GYNECOLOGY)
Magazine article from: OB GYN News; 8/1/2009
Sterile performance on 'Zygote' may leave some Popper fans disappointed.(Time...
Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 10/8/1999

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