Differences between Gamete and Zygote
Gamete vs. Zygote[edit]
In sexual reproduction, a gamete is a reproductive cell that unites with another gamete to form a zygote.[1][2] Gametes are haploid, meaning they contain a single set of chromosomes.[3][4] A zygote, on the other hand, is the diploid cell that results from the fusion of two haploid gametes, a process known as fertilization.[5] The zygote contains a complete set of chromosomes, with half contributed from each gamete.
Female gametes are known as ova or egg cells, while male gametes are called sperm.[3] Ova are typically non-motile and larger than the motile sperm cells. The fusion of an egg and sperm creates the single-celled zygote, which represents the first stage of development for a new organism. This initial cell carries all the genetic information necessary for the development of a genetically unique individual.
The formation of gametes occurs through a process of cell division called meiosis, which reduces the number of chromosomes in a diploid parent cell by half to produce haploid cells.[4] In contrast, after fertilization, the zygote undergoes a series of cell divisions through mitosis, where the diploid chromosome number is maintained in each new cell, leading to the development of an embryo.[1]
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | Gamete | Zygote |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A mature haploid reproductive cell. | A diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two gametes. |
| Ploidy | Haploid (one set of chromosomes).[3] | Diploid (two sets of chromosomes). |
| Formation | Formed through meiosis.[4] | Formed through the fertilization of an egg by a sperm. |
| Genetic Makeup | Contains genetic material from a single parent. | Contains a combination of genetic material from both parents. |
| Cell Division | Does not undergo further cell division. | Undergoes mitotic division (cleavage) to form an embryo. |
| Role in Reproduction | Carries genetic information to be passed to offspring. | Represents the first stage of a new individual's development. |
| Motility | Male gametes (sperm) are motile; female gametes (ova) are non-motile.[4] | Non-motile. |
In humans, gametes each contain 23 chromosomes. Upon fertilization, they combine to form a zygote with 46 chromosomes. The zygote stage is brief, lasting only a few days before it begins to divide and develop into a blastocyst, and subsequently an embryo.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ "doubtnut.com". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "genome.gov". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "thoughtco.com". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ "wikipedia.org". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
