oogamy

oogamy /oog·a·my/ (o-og´ah-me) in the most restrictive sense, fertilization of a large nonmotile female gamete by a small motile male gamete, as in certain algae; often used more generally to mean the sexual union of two dissimilar gametes (heterogamy).oog´amous

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oogamy

[ō·og′əmē]

Etymology: Gk, oon + gamos, marriage

1 sexual reproduction by the fertilization of a large nonmotile female gamete by a smaller, actively motile male gamete, such as occurs in certain algae and the malarial parasite Plasmodium.

2 heterogamy. Compare isogamy. oogamous, adj.

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oogamy

1. fertilization of a large nonmotile egg by a small, motile male gamete or sperm, as seen in certain algae.

2. conjugation of two dissimilar gametes; heterogamy.