What is a zygote?

Prepare for the Alberta Biology 30 Cell Division Test. Dive into flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is equipped with explanations and hints to enhance your understanding. Get exam ready!

Multiple Choice

What is a zygote?

Explanation:
A zygote is the fertilized egg—the first cell of a new individual formed when a sperm merges with an egg. It carries a complete set of chromosomes, with genetic material from both parents, making it diploid. It's different from the mature or unfertilized egg, which are the female gametes before fertilization, and from a cell produced by mitosis, which happens after fertilization to build more cells. After fertilization, the zygote immediately begins mitotic divisions (cleavage) to become a multicellular embryo.

A zygote is the fertilized egg—the first cell of a new individual formed when a sperm merges with an egg. It carries a complete set of chromosomes, with genetic material from both parents, making it diploid. It's different from the mature or unfertilized egg, which are the female gametes before fertilization, and from a cell produced by mitosis, which happens after fertilization to build more cells. After fertilization, the zygote immediately begins mitotic divisions (cleavage) to become a multicellular embryo.

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