Syngamy is the process of fusion between two gametes to form a zygote. It is a critical step in sexual reproduction among unicellular eukaryotic parasites.
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Syngamy ensures genetic diversity through the combination of genetic material from two different gametes.
It involves the fusion of haploid cells (gametes) to create a diploid cell (zygote).
In many unicellular eukaryotes, syngamy can occur immediately after meiosis.
The resulting zygote can undergo mitosis to develop into a mature organism.
Syngamy is distinct from other forms of genetic recombination like conjugation and transformation.
Review Questions
What is the primary purpose of syngamy in unicellular eukaryotic parasites?
How does syngamy contribute to genetic diversity?
What type of cells are involved in syngamy and what do they form?
Related terms
Meiosis: A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four haploid cells.
Zygote: A diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes during syngamy.
Mitosis: A process where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.