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Definition

Anisogamy is a form of sexual reproduction that involves the union or fusion of two gametes that differ in size and/or form. The smaller gamete is male, a microgamete or sperm cell, whereas the larger gamete is female, a larger macrogamete or typically an egg cell. Anisogamy is predominant among multicellular organisms. In both plants and animals, gamete size difference is the fundamental difference between females and males.

Related concepts

Alpha privativeAncient GreekAnimalAnimal sexual behaviourBateman's principleCharles DarwinChlorophytaConiferophytaCopulation (zoology)Courtship displayDioecyEffects of hormones on sexual motivationEgg cellEvolution of sexEvolution of sexual reproductionEvolutionary arms raceExternal fertilizationFecundityFemaleFemale sperm storageFeminization (biology)FertilisationFertilizedFisherian runawayFlagellumFlowering plantGameteGametesGametogenesisGeoff ParkerGerm cellGnetophytaGonochorismHanna KokkoHaplodiploidyHaploidHermaphroditeHumanHuman reproductionHuman sexual activityHuman sexualityInternal fertilizationIntersexIntersex (biology)Intraspecific competitionIsogamyJohn AviseJohn Krebs, Baron KrebsLimiting factorLordosis behaviorMaleMate choiceMatingMating in fungiMating typeMechanics of human sexualityMeiosisMotileMotilityMulticellular organismMulticellularityNatural selectionNicholas Barry DaviesNuptial giftOogamyOogenesisOvaryParasexual cycleParental carePelvic thrustPenile–vaginal intercoursePheromonePlant reproductionPlant reproductive morphologyPollenPollen tubePolysiphoniaPrimary sex characteristicProject MuseRed algaeReproductive advantageReproductive systemRobin Baker (biologist)Secondary sex characteristicSecondary sex characteristicsSequential hermaphroditismSexSex-determination systemSex as a biological variableSex chromosomeSex organSexual cannibalismSexual differentiationSexual differentiation in humansSexual dimorphismSexual intercourseSexual reproductionSexual reproduction in animalsSexual selectionSexual systemSexually transmitted infectionSimultaneous hermaphroditismSpermSperm cellSperm competitionSpermatogenesisSpermatozoonTemperature-dependent sex determinationTesticleTestis-determining factorTim BirkheadUnicellular organismVirilizationXO sex-determination systemXY sex-determination systemYukio YasuiZO sex-determination systemZW sex-determination system

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