Syngamy is a term used in biology to describe the fusion of two haploid cells to form a zygote. The spelling of the word "syngamy" is derived from the Greek root words "syn," meaning together, and "gamos," meaning marriage. The IPA phonetic transcription of "syngamy" is /ˈsɪŋɡəmi/. The stress falls on the first syllable, and the "g" sound is pronounced as a hard "g" instead of a soft "j," as in "gym." This word is an important concept in the study of reproduction and genetics.
Syngamy is a biological term that refers to the process of the fusion or fusion of two gametes, typically belonging to different sexes, to form a zygote. The concept of syngamy is predominantly associated with sexual reproduction in eukaryotes, where it occurs during the process of fertilization. In this process, the male gamete, or sperm cell, fuses with the female gamete, or egg cell, to form a zygote, which is the earliest stage of the new organism's development.
During syngamy, the genetic material from both the male and female gametes combine, resulting in offspring that inherit a combination of traits from both parents. This process ensures genetic diversity in a population and is essential for the continuation of a species.
Syngamy can occur both externally and internally, depending on the reproductive strategy of the organism. In external syngamy, such as in aquatic organisms like fish or amphibians, gametes are released into the environment and fuse outside the organism's body. In internal syngamy, which is more common in terrestrial animals, the fusion of gametes occurs within the female reproductive system.
Overall, syngamy is a vital process in sexual reproduction that involves the fusion of gametes to form a new organism. It is a fundamental mechanism that contributes to the diversity and survival of species.
Conjugation of cells; sexual reproduction.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "syngamy" is derived from the Greek roots "syn", meaning "together", and "gamé", meaning "marriage" or "union". In biological terms, syngamy refers to the fusion of gametes (reproductive cells, such as egg and sperm) during sexual reproduction.