Sexual reproductionSexual reproduction is a type of reproduction that involves a complex life cycle in which a gamete (haploid reproductive cells, such as a sperm or egg cell) with a single set of chromosomes combines with another gamete to produce a zygote that develops into an organism composed of cells with two sets of chromosomes (diploid).
HermaphroditeOrganism that produces both male and female gametesGarden snails matingA hermaphrodite () is a sexually reproducingorganism that produces both male and femalegametes. Animal species in which individuals are either male or female are gonochoric, which is the opposite of hermaphroditic. Plant species in which individuals are either male or female are dioecious.
GynogenesisGynogenesis, a form of parthenogenesis, is a system of asexual reproduction that requires the presence of sperm without the actual contribution of its DNA for completion. The paternal DNA dissolves or is destroyed before it can fuse with the egg. The egg cell of the organism is able to develop, unfertilized, into an adult using only maternal genetic material.
Asexual reproductionAsexual reproduction is a type of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes or change in the number of chromosomes. The offspring that arise by asexual reproduction from either unicellular or multicellular organisms inherit the full set of genes of their single parent and thus the newly created individual is genetically and physically similar to the parent or an exact clone of the parent.
Nuclear geneA nuclear gene is a gene whose DNA sequence is located within the cell nucleus of a eukaryotic organism. These genes with nuclear DNA are distinguished from extranuclear genes, such as those found in the genomes of mitochondria and chloroplasts, which reside outside the nucleus in their own organellar DNA. Nuclear genes encode the majority of proteins and functional RNAs required for cellular processes, including development, metabolism, and regulation.
GameteA gamete ( GAM-eet ), reproductive cell, or sex cell, is a haploid cell that fuses with another haploid cell during fertilization in organisms that reproduce sexually. The name gamete was introduced by the German cytologist Eduard Strasburger in 1878. The type of gamete an organism produces determines its sex and sets the basis for the sexual roles and sexual selection. Female gametes are called ova or egg cells, and male gametes are called sperm.
Cell nucleusThe cell nucleus (from Latin or 'kernel, seed'; pl.: nuclei) is a membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells usually have a single nucleus, but a few cell types, such as mammalian red blood cells, have no nuclei, and a few others including osteoclasts have many.
ChromosomeDNA molecule containing genetic material of a cellDifferent representations of chromosomesMain parts of a condensed chromosomeCondensed chromosome (purple rod) inside a bone marrow erythrokaryocyte undergoing mitosisDiagram of a duplicated and condensed metaphase eukaryotic chromosome: ChromatidCentromereShort armLong armA chromosome is a package of DNA containing part or all of the genetic material of an organism.
ZygoteA zygote ( from Ancient Greekζυγωτός (zygōtós)'joined, yoked', from ζυγοῦν (zygoun)'to join, to yoke') is a eukaryoticcell formed by a fertilization event between two gametes. The zygote's genome is a combination of the DNA in each gamete, and contains all of the genetic information of a new individual organism.
Elodea canadensisElodea canadensis (American waterweed or Canadian waterweed or pondweed) is a perennial aquatic plant, or submergent macrophyte, native to most of North America. It has been introduced widely to regions outside its native range.
Brown algaeBrown algae (sing.: alga) are a large group of photoautotrophic, multicellular SAR comprising the class Phaeophyceae. They include many seaweeds located in colder waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Brown algae are the major seaweeds of the temperate and polar regions. Many brown algae, such as members of the order Fucales, commonly grow along rocky seashores.
MitochondriaOrganelle in eukaryotic cells responsible for respirationA mitochondrion (pl. mitochondria) is an organelle found in the cells of most eukaryotes, such as animals, plants and fungi. Mitochondria have a double membrane structure and use aerobic respiration to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used throughout the cell as a source of chemical energy. They were discovered by Albert von Kölliker in 1857 in the voluntary muscles of insects.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.