Zygote - GCSE Biology Definition

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

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A zygote is the first cell formed when a sperm cell from a male fertilises an egg cell from a female. It contains a complete set of genetic material, with half from each parent, creating a unique combination of DNA. The zygote is the starting point of a new organism and begins dividing by mitosis to form an embryo. In GCSE Biology, the zygote is important in understanding sexual reproduction, as it marks the beginning of development and explains how genetic variation arises in offspring.

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Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewer: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

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