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Glite Dictionary
anisogamic

anisogamic

9.9
Sexual reproduction in which sex cells are different sizes or shapes, like large eggs and small sperm
  • adjective
  • /ˌænɪsoʊˈɡæmɪk/
  • Specialized
: anisogámico
  • In anisogamic species, the male and female gametes differ significantly in size.

Examples

  • Anisogamic reproduction allows for greater genetic diversity due to the fusion of varied gametes.

  • The study focused on anisogamic organisms that exhibit sex differentiation based on gamete size.

  • The terminological extension makes it possible to represent stable bonds between descent lines starting from an anisogamic union between a man of a socially superior matrilineal group and a woman founder of a subordinate line.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

anisogamous
vsanisogamic
  • Specialized
9.9

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

focuses on the actual fusion of dissimilar gametes during reproduction
anisogametic
vsanisogamic
  • Specialized
9.9

A sex that produces smaller, different sex cells like sperm

refers to the reproductive process involving dissimilar gametes rather than a single cell

Surface Forms

anisogamic positive

Morphology

anisogamic = anisogamy (semi-transparent) = aniso + gamy + ic

The adjective is formed by the regular addition of '-ic' to the noun 'anisogamy', creating a predictable adjective.

Etymology

Anisogamic comes from old Greek parts: an- meaning 'not', iso- meaning 'equal', and -gamic from gamos meaning 'marriage', as in monogamy. So anisogamic means an 'unequal marriage' of sex cells called gametes, which is why it describes reproduction with gametes that differ in size or shape.