zygote
Conception's first cell
A zygote is a cell formed when sperm fertilizes an egg—the earliest stage of a new organism before it begins dividing.
The term appears in biology and discussions of reproduction: A zygote contains genetic material from both parents.
In debates about when life begins, zygote often marks the moment of conception.
Can develop into any cell
- blastomereEarly embryonic cell
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
- mitosisNuclear division producing identical cells
- divisionSplitting into parts
nucleus · cytoplasm · chromosome · morula · blastocyst · cell division · multiplication · membrane
Organism before birth
- embryogenesisFormation of early life
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
- gastrulationEmbryo forms primary layers
- morphogenesisDevelopmental shape emergence
organogenesis · blastocyst · implantation · morula · ectoderm · mesoderm · endoderm · maturation
Hereditary code molecule
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- genesUnits of heredity
- genomeOrganism's total hereditary material
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
allele · inheritance · heredity · mutation · diploid · recombination · meiosis · haploid
Formation of an idea
- fertilizationGamete fusion creating zygote
- fusionJoining into unity
- gametesReproductive cells for fusion
- spermMale reproductive cell
ovum · egg · insemination · union · reproduction · procreation · in vitro · cross-fertilization
Starting point or source
- genesisPoint of creation
- inceptionFounding moment
- nascentBeginning to develop
- primordiumEmbryonic organ precursor
totipotent
Can develop into any cell
- blastomereEarly embryonic cell
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
- mitosisNuclear division producing identical cells
division · nucleus · cytoplasm · chromosome · morula · blastocyst · cell division · multiplication · membrane · organelles
embryo
Organism before birth
- embryogenesisFormation of early life
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
- gastrulationEmbryo forms primary layers
morphogenesis · organogenesis · blastocyst · implantation · morula · ectoderm · mesoderm · endoderm · maturation · pluripotent
DNA
Hereditary code molecule
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- genesUnits of heredity
- genomeOrganism's total hereditary material
genotype · allele · inheritance · heredity · mutation · diploid · recombination · meiosis · haploid · dominant
conception
Formation of an idea
- fertilizationGamete fusion creating zygote
- fusionJoining into unity
- gametesReproductive cells for fusion
sperm · ovum · egg · insemination · union · reproduction · procreation · in vitro · cross-fertilization · self-fertilization
origin
Starting point or source
primordium · emergence · starting point · life begins · creation
- developmentgrowth, progress, advancement, expansion, improvement
- cellscells, blood cell, cell theory, nerve cell, red blood cell
- pregnancypregnancy, pregnant, prenatal care, due date, weeks
- reproductionreproduction, birth, baby, egg, sperm
- life stagesbaby, teenager, adult, childhood, adolescence
- Z wordszero, zone, zoo, zip, zap