Isogamy
Isogamy
Isogamy (pronunciation: /aɪˈsɒɡəmi/; etymology: from Greek isos meaning "equal" and gamos meaning "marriage") is a form of sexual reproduction that involves gametes of similar morphology (i.e., they are not distinguishable into male and female types), but which may differ in other respects, for example, in size or in their ability to move.
Overview
In isogamy, two gametes (reproductive cells) of the same size and shape fuse to form a zygote. This is in contrast to anisogamy, where there is a significant difference in size between the gametes (the larger one being the egg and the smaller one being the sperm), and oogamy, where a large, non-motile egg is fertilized by a small, motile sperm.
Types of Isogamy
There are two types of isogamy:
- Positive isogamy - This is when both gametes are motile.
- Negative isogamy - This is when neither of the gametes are motile.
Evolutionary Significance
Isogamy is considered to be the original form of sexual reproduction. From an evolutionary perspective, it is believed that isogamy evolved into anisogamy due to the benefits of having one gamete (the egg) be larger and contain more resources for the developing offspring.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Isogamy
- Wikipedia's article - Isogamy
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