What is the name of a cell produced at fertilization by the union of sperm and egg?

What is the name of a cell produced at fertilization by the union of sperm and egg?

• A. Gamete
• B. Fetus
• C. Zygote
• D. Oocyte

Answer: (C)

When a sperm and an egg unite, the resulting cell is called a zygote. It’s the first cell of a new individual and is diploid, formed by the fusion of the two haploid genomes from the gametes. The zygote will begin rapid cell divisions (cleavage) and then travel to the uterus to implant and develop into an embryo, and later a fetus. The term gamete refers to the sperm or egg themselves before fertilization, not the product of fertilization. An oocyte is the egg cell before fertilization. A fetus is a developing organism after implantation and later developmental stages. So the zygote is the correct name for the fertilization product.

When a sperm and an egg unite, the resulting cell is called a zygote. It’s the first cell of a new individual and is diploid, formed by the fusion of the two haploid genomes from the gametes. The zygote will begin rapid cell divisions (cleavage) and then travel to the uterus to implant and develop into an embryo, and later a fetus. The term gamete refers to the sperm or egg themselves before fertilization, not the product of fertilization. An oocyte is the egg cell before fertilization. A fetus is a developing organism after implantation and later developmental stages. So the zygote is the correct name for the fertilization product.