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cross-fertilization

 
Dictionary: cross-fer·til·i·za·tion   (krôs'fûr'tl-ĭ-zā'shən, krŏs'-)
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n.
  1. Fertilization by the union of gametes from different individuals, sometimes of different varieties or species. Also called allogamy.
  2. Mutual exchange, as between dissimilar concepts, cultures, or classifications, that enhances understanding or produces something beneficial.
crossfertile cross'-fer'tile adj.

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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: cross-fertilization
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Fusion of male and female sex cells from different individuals of the same species. Cross-fertilization is necessary in animal and plant species that have male and female organs on separate individuals. Methods of cross-fertilization are diverse in animals. Among most species that breed in water, the males and females shed their sex cells into the water, where fertilization takes place outside the body. Among land breeders, fertilization is internal, with the sperm being introduced into the body of the female. By recombining genetic material from two parents, cross-fertilization maintains a greater range of variability for natural selection to act on, thereby increasing the capacity of a species to adapt to environmental change. See also self-fertilization.

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Science Dictionary: cross-fertilization
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The fertilization of the ovum of one plant by the sperm of another plant.

WordNet: cross-fertilization
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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: fertilization by the union of male and female gametes from different individual of the same species
  Synonym: cross-fertilisation
  Antonym: self-fertilization (meaning #1)

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Science Dictionary. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.  Read more
WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.  Read more