A cell or nucleus that may participate in sexual fusion to form a * zygote. It is normally haploid and thus on fusion of two gametes a diploid zygote is formed. In virtually all plants (exceptions are those with a * diplontic life cycle ) meiosis is separated from * gametogenesis by the development of a somatic gametophyte generation (see alternation of generations ). In the primitive algae and fungi the gametes are often naked and * isogamous. In more advanced forms there is a trend through * anisogamy to * oogamy and specialization of the gametes, so that they become better protected and less dependent on water for survival and dispersal. See also sexual reproduction. |
