anisogamy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowScientific / Academic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “anisogamy” mean?
A type of sexual reproduction in which the gametes (sex cells) that fuse together are of different sizes, typically a large ovum and a small sperm.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of sexual reproduction in which the gametes (sex cells) that fuse together are of different sizes, typically a large ovum and a small sperm.
The condition of having dissimilar gametes; the fundamental biological basis for sexes in many species. It is the opposite of isogamy, where gametes are morphologically similar.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences; the word is spelled and used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language in both regions, confined to specialist texts and discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “anisogamy” in a Sentence
the evolution of ~a form of ~ called oogamythe prevalence of ~ in multicellular organismsthe transition from isogamy to ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anisogamy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The species is thought to have anisogamised early in its evolution.
- They argued that the population might anisogamise under pressure.
American English
- The lineage likely anisogamized to exploit new niches.
- The model predicts when a population will anisogamize.
adverb
British English
- The cells reproduced anisogamously.
- Fusion occurs anisogamously in most metazoans.
American English
- The gametes fused anisogamously.
- They reproduce almost exclusively anisogamously.
adjective
British English
- This represents the primitive anisogamous condition.
- The anisogamous mating system is nearly universal in animals.
American English
- An anisogamous system underlies sexual dimorphism.
- They studied anisogamous reproduction in algae.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central term in evolutionary biology and reproductive science; used in textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in biology to classify reproductive systems; used precisely to distinguish from isogamy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anisogamy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anisogamy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anisogamy”
- Mispronouncing the 'g' as a hard 'g' (like 'game'); it's a soft 'g' as in 'gem'.
- Confusing with 'anisogynous' or other 'aniso-' prefixed words.
- Using it to refer to social or behavioural aspects of mating instead of the specific biological mechanism.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. Anisogamy is the biological foundation for the differentiation into male (producing small, motile gametes) and female (producing large, nutrient-rich gametes) sexes.
Yes. Plants exhibit anisogamy, seen in the production of pollen (male gametophyte) and ovules (female gametophyte), though the terminology in botany often uses 'oogamy' more specifically.
It's thought to promote a division of labour: the large egg provides resources for the zygote, increasing offspring survival, while the small, numerous sperm increase the chances of finding and fertilising an egg.
Yes. Many fungi, algae, and protozoa reproduce isogamously, with morphologically identical gametes. Some species also exhibit multiple mating types beyond a simple binary system.
A type of sexual reproduction in which the gametes (sex cells) that fuse together are of different sizes, typically a large ovum and a small sperm.
Anisogamy is usually scientific / academic / technical in register.
Anisogamy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ɪˈsɒɡ.ə.mi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ɪˈsɑː.ɡə.mi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANIsogamy' = 'ANy Isnt Same' - the gametes are NOT the same size. 'ISOgamy' = 'Is Same' - the gametes are the same.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DIVISION OF LABOUR metaphor: anisogamy represents the evolutionary 'decision' to have one gamete specialise in resources (egg) and the other in mobility/delivery (sperm).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary biological consequence of anisogamy?