heterogamy

American  

[het-uh-rog-uh-mee] / ˌhɛt əˈrɒg ə mi /

noun

1. heterogamous state.

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heterogamy British  

/ ˌhɛtəˈrɒɡəmɪ /

noun

1. a type of sexual reproduction in which the gametes differ in both size and form Compare isogamy

2. a condition in which different types of reproduction occur in successive generations of an organism

3. the presence of both male and female flowers in one inflorescence Compare homogamy

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heterogamy Scientific  

/ hĕt′ə-rŏg′ə-mē /

1. Alternation of sexual and parthenogenetic generations, as in the life cycles of some aphids.

2. A reproductive system that is characterized by the fusion of gametes (called heterogametes) that are dissimilar in size and structure, such as the egg and sperm of animals.

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Other Word Forms

• heterogamous adjective

Etymology

Origin of heterogamy

First recorded in 1870–75; hetero- + -gamy

Example Sentences

See also under Heterogamy, Meiophylly, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

The principal alterations to be mentioned under this head may therefore be conveniently arranged under the following categories:—Union, Independence, Displacement, Prolification, Heterotaxy, and Heterogamy.

From Project Gutenberg

Heterotaxy affecting the inflorescence.—Under the head of Prolification, Heterogamy, &c., various deviations from the normal inflorescence are alluded to.

From Project Gutenberg

For other illustrations refer to chapters on Heterogamy, Number, Irregular Peloria, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

Professor Pearson's own experiments in this line, however, do not give consistent results, for in correlating eyecolor with fertility, heterogamy seems to increase fertility.

From Project Gutenberg