Question

Distinguish between a gamete and zygote. Explain their roles in sexual reproduction.

Answer 1

1. The reproductive cells of an organism are called gametes, also known as sex cells.
2. The fertilized egg cell, which results due to the union of a male gamete and a female gamete is called the zygote.

Gamete	Zygote
Formed post meiosis.	Formed due to the fusion of two gametes.
The gamete produced comprises the haploid number of chromosomes.	The zygote produced comprises the diploid number of chromosomes.
Gametes are produced within both male and female bodies. In males as sperm, and females as an egg.	Generally, the formation of a zygote takes place within the bodies of females, like in mammals.
The gametes are needed at the time of sexual reproduction, which further results in the formation of a zygote.	Zygote act as a precursor for the formation of an embryo.
The gametes are found within the gonads.	The zygote is generally found within the Fallopian tube.

Role of gamete and zygote in sexual reproduction:

1. The mode of reproduction in which sperm from the male parent fertilizes the egg within the female parent is termed sexual reproduction.
2. They produced offspring, which is genetically distinct from both the parents.
3. Gametes are the outcome of meiosis and thus carry half the number of chromosomes as the number of the parent cells. This number of chromosomes is restored at the time of fertilization.
4. The formation of a zygote makes the number of chromosomes equivalent to the general body cells.
5. Thus, gametes and zygote are the two phases of sexually reproducing organisms, which assists in sustaining a constant number of chromosomes in every species.