CROSS FERTILIZED Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "cross-fertilized" refers to a biological process that involves the exchange or mixing of genetic material between two different individuals or species. It commonly occurs in sexual reproduction, where the male gametes, such as pollen in plants and sperm in animals, combine with the female gametes, such as ovules in plants and eggs in animals, resulting in the creation of offspring with a diverse combination of traits.
Cross-fertilization is essential for enhancing genetic variation within a population, as it introduces new gene combinations that may have advantageous characteristics or beneficial adaptations to the environment. This process helps to prevent inbreeding depression, which occurs when individuals within a population reproduce among close relatives, resulting in decreased overall fitness and increased susceptibility to genetic disorders.
Cross-fertilization can occur naturally through various mechanisms, including pollination by wind, insects, or other animals, as well as the transfer of gametes through water in aquatic organisms. Additionally, humans can intentionally manipulate cross-fertilization through selective breeding or hybridization techniques to combine desirable traits from different individuals or species.
Overall, cross-fertilization plays a crucial role in maintaining genetic diversity within populations, promoting adaptation to changing environments, and facilitating the development of new species through the generation of offspring with unique combinations of genetic traits.
Common Misspellings for CROSS FERTILIZED
- cross-fertilised
- cros-fertilized
- cross-ferilized
- Cross-fertalized
- cros fertilised
Etymology of CROSS FERTILIZED
The word "cross fertilized" is a compound term derived from two separate words: "cross" and "fertilized".
The term "cross" comes from the Old English word "cros", which has its roots in the Latin word "crux". "Crux" originally referred to a stake or pole, but later evolved to primarily signify the shape of a cross. In the context of cross fertilization, "cross" refers to the intersection or combination of different elements.
On the other hand, "fertilized" is derived from the Latin word "fertilis", which means fruitful or productive. In the context of biology, "fertilized" typically refers to the fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote, which eventually becomes an embryo.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
