AUTOGAMY Meaning and
Definition
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Autogamy is a biological term that refers to a specific type of self-fertilization, also known as selfing. It is a reproductive process where an organism has the ability to fertilize its own gametes, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical or very similar to the parent.
In autogamy, the male and female gametes are produced by the same individual and then come together to achieve fertilization. This process can occur in various organisms, including plants, fungi, and some invertebrates. It is different from typical sexual reproduction (allogamy), where two different individuals contribute gametes to form offspring.
Plants that undergo autogamy often have specific adaptations to promote self-fertilization. For example, they may possess flowers that are constructed in a way that facilitates the transfer of pollen from the anthers to the stigma within the same flower. Some self-fertilizing plants may even have strategies to prevent self-fertilization, such as the separation of male and female reproductive organs in different parts of the same flower or the production of non-functional pollen.
Autogamy can offer advantages in certain contexts, such as ensuring reproductive success in isolated or scarce populations. However, it also has disadvantages, including reduced genetic diversity and potential accumulation of harmful mutations. Overall, autogamy is an important mechanism of reproduction in various organisms and has significant implications for their population dynamics and evolutionary processes.
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1. A sort of abortive conjugation, or extreme inbreeding, in which fission of the cell nucleus occurs without division of the cell, the two pronuclei so formed reuniting to form the syncaryon. In other cases the cell body also divides, but the two daughter cells immediately conjugate; automixis. 2. In botany, self-fertilization. The opposite of allogamy.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AUTOGAMY
- zutogamy
- sutogamy
- wutogamy
- qutogamy
- aytogamy
- ahtogamy
- ajtogamy
- aitogamy
- a8togamy
- a7togamy
- aurogamy
- aufogamy
- augogamy
- auyogamy
- au6ogamy
- au5ogamy
- autigamy
- autkgamy
- autlgamy
Etymology of AUTOGAMY
The word "autogamy" derives from the Greek roots "auto" meaning "self" and "gamos" meaning "marriage".
Similar spelling words for AUTOGAMY
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