anisogametic

9.9

A sex that produces smaller, different sex cells like sperm

adjective
/ˌænɪsoʊˈɡæmətɪk/

Specialized

: anisogamético

The anisogametic sex typically produces smaller and more numerous gametes.

Examples

In many animals, the male is the anisogametic sex, producing sperm cells.
Plants can also exhibit anisogametic reproduction, involving dissimilar male and female gametes.
The anisogametic nature of the species allows for greater genetic diversity.
Many animals, including humans, are anisogametic in their reproductive strategies.
In many animals, the male is the anisogametic sex, producing sperm cells.
The anisogametic sex typically produces smaller and more numerous gametes.
Many animals, including humans, are anisogametic in their reproductive strategies.

Synonyms

anisogamous

vsanisogametic

Specialized

9.9

Having sex cells of different sizes, like small sperm and larger eggs

relates instead to one member of that dissimilar gamete pair

anisogamic

vsanisogametic

Specialized

9.9

Sexual reproduction in which sex cells are different sizes or shapes, like large eggs and small sperm

focuses on a single gamete in the pair rather than the reproductive form

Surface Forms

anisogametic positive

Morphology

anisogametic = gametic (opaque) = aniso + gamete + o + ic

Both 'aniso-' and 'gametic' are specialised Greek-derived scientific morphemes whose meanings are unlikely to be recoverable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Anisogametic comes from the parts aniso- meaning 'not equal' and gamete meaning 'sex cell'. So it describes organisms where the two sex cells are different sizes, like small sperm and large eggs.