Genetics: Fertilization &Cell Division

Egg

Female sex cell, contains 23 chromosomes in humans

Sperm

Male sex cell, contains 23 chromosomes in humans

Dad

The parent that determines the gender of the offspring.

Fertilization

The process in which an egg and a sperm are joined to make one new cell called a zygote.

Meiosis

The process of cell division that produces haploid sex cells (that are not identical), produces egg and sperm.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that produces identical daughter cells, makes diploid cells, produces body cells like bone, muscle, nerve, fat...

Zygote

A fertilized egg, made of 1 cell, the product of fertilization

Body cell

Cells that have paired chromosomes (diploid) that make up the body of an organism like skin, muscle, blood, bone. Also called somatic cells.

Sex cell

Cells that have unpaired chromosomes (haploid) that are used for reproduction like egg and sperm. Also called gametes.

Diploid

Describes cells with paired chromosomes, body (somatic) cells like skin, nerve, liver, blood...

Haploid

Describes cells with unpaired chromosomes, sex cells (gametes) like egg and sperm.

X or Y

The chromosomes a dad could pass on to offspring.

X or X

The chromosomes a mom could pass on to offspring.

XX

The genotype of a female.

XY

The genotype of a male.

Growth, healing & reproduction

The three main reasons why cells divide.