zygote

n.

1. The cell formed by the union of two gametes, especially a fertilized ovum before cleavage.
2. The organism that develops from a zygote.

[From Greek zugōtos, yoked, from zugoun, to yoke.]

zygotic zy·got'ic (-gŏt'ĭk) adj.
zygotically zy·got'i·cal·ly adv.

Derived from the Greek meaning ‘yoked’, a zygote is the cell that results from fertilization. It is the union of a spermatozoon and an ovum — the mature germ cells, known also as the male and female gametes (from the Greek for husband and wife). Each of the two gametes is haploid, meaning that the nucleus has half the number of chromosomes of normal body cells. Their union results in the diploid zygote, with a full set of chromosomes, carrying the combination of genes that will determine all the bodily characteristics of the new individual. When, as a result of this union, matched genes (alleles) at particular sites on the newly paired chromosomes are different from each other, the zygote, and hence the resulting individual, is heterozygous with respect to those genes. It is homozygous if the pairs are identical. Since one of a dissimilar pair of genes can dominate the other, whereas identical pairs can act in unison, this is crucial to the suppression or emergence of the relevant inherited trait.

The zygote carries within its single cell continuing threads in the immemorial lifespan of the human race, as well as the mixed-and-matched microscopic material from which will stem the intricacies common to all human bodies, yet with the remarkable uniqueness of a particular person.

— Sheila Jennett, Colin Blakemore

n

The developing ovum from the time it is fertilized until, as a blastocyst, it is implanted in the uterus.

(Greek, zygotos, yoked together) A cell formed by the union of two reproductive cells, or more broadly the developing organism produced by such a cell. The zygote is mentioned in debates about abortion as the smallest single ‘thing’ to which the history of a living individual can be traced.

(zeye-goht)

The single cell that results from fertilization of an ovum by a sperm. After dividing several times, it implants in the uterus. It continues to divide, producing more cells and passing through the stages of embryo and fetus.

The cell resulting from union of a male and female gamete; the fertilized ovum. More precisely, the cell after synapsis at the completion of fertilization until first cleavage.

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - zygot

Nederlands (Dutch)
cel ontstaan uit twee gameten, zygoot

Français (French)
n. - zygote

Deutsch (German)
n. - Zygote

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - ζυγώτης (κύτταρο)

Italiano (Italian)
zigote

Português (Portuguese)
n. - zigoto (m)

Русский (Russian)
зигота

Español (Spanish)
n. - cigoto, zigoto

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - zygot (biol.)

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
受精卵, 接合体, 接合子

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 受精卵, 接合體, 接合子

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 접합자, 접합체

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 接合体, 接合子

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) لاقحه ( خليه تتولد من اتحاد مشيجين)‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮ביצית מופרית‬

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