self-fertilization
Reproductive botanical independence
Self-fertilization is the fusion of male and female reproductive cells from the same individual organism.
Some plants and invertebrates reproduce this way, combining pollen with ovules from the same flower or producing both sperm and eggs internally.
The practice limits genetic diversity but allows reproduction without a mate: Many hermaphroditic snails are capable of self-fertilization.
Floral reproductive grains
- ovuleUnfertilized seed structure
- antherPollen-producing structure
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- pistilSeed-producing flower organ
stamen · ovary · style · gametes · sperm · egg · ovum · oocyte
Matching alleles at locus
- inbreedingReproduction between close relatives
- alleleGene variant at one locus
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
- homozygoteOrganism with identical alleles
recessive · dominant · heritability · fixation · heterosis · monohybrid · consanguinity
Both sexes in one
- monoeciousHaving both sexes
- hermaphroditismPossessing both sex organs
- angiospermPlant producing flowers, fruits
- earthwormSegmented soil-dwelling invertebrate
Marriage among similars
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- pollinationFlower reproductive transfer
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- propagationAct of spreading widely
First embryonic cell
- embryoOrganism before birth
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
- germinationSeed's initial growth phase
- blastocystEarly developmental stage before implantation
fecundation · progeny · offspring · endosperm
pollen
Floral reproductive grains
pistil · stamen · ovary · style · gametes · sperm · egg · ovum · oocyte · gametophyte
homozygosity
Matching alleles at locus
- inbreedingReproduction between close relatives
- alleleGene variant at one locus
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
homozygote · recessive · dominant · heritability · fixation · heterosis · monohybrid · consanguinity
hermaphrodite
Both sexes in one
- monoeciousHaving both sexes
- hermaphroditismPossessing both sex organs
- angiospermPlant producing flowers, fruits
earthworm · snail · tapeworm · nematode · flatworm · slug · barnacle
homogamy
Marriage among similars
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- pollinationFlower reproductive transfer
- reproductionCopying or procreation
zygote
First embryonic cell
- embryoOrganism before birth
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
- germinationSeed's initial growth phase
blastocyst · fecundation · progeny · offspring · endosperm
- reproductionreproduction, birth, baby, egg, sperm
- snail reproductionhermaphroditism, mating, copulation, egg laying, oviposition
- plant reproductionpollination, cross-pollination, flowering, blooming, germination
- propagationcloning, seed starting, grafting, cuttings, seedlings
- marine larvaelarva, larval stage
- Tapewormstapeworms, scolex, hooks, sucker, holdfast
self-fertilizationcross-fertilization
Mixing genes from separate sources
cross-pollination · outcrossing · outbreeding · cross-breeding · hybridization
fertile, fertilize, fertility, fertilizer, self-incompatibility, infertility, selfhood, fertilizing, fertilization