Allogamy is a term that is commonly used in the fields of biology and botany. It is a word that describes the process of fertilization between two individuals of the same species, but from different genetic backgrounds. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of allogamy, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and examples of its use in sentences.
Definitions
Allogamy is defined as the fertilization of an ovum from one organism by sperm from another organism of the same species. It is a type of sexual reproduction that involves the fusion of gametes from different individuals. Allogamy can be contrasted with autogamy, which is the fertilization of an ovum by sperm from the same organism.
Origin
The term allogamy comes from the Greek words “allos” meaning other or different, and “gamia” meaning marriage or union. The word was first used in the late 19th century to describe the process of cross-fertilization in plants.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, allogamy is “the fertilization of an ovum by sperm from another individual of the same species.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “cross-fertilization between genetically different individuals of the same species.”
Associations
Allogamy is associated with genetic diversity, which can be important for the survival and adaptation of a species. It can also be associated with outbreeding depression, which is a reduction in fitness or viability due to the mating of genetically distant individuals.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for allogamy include cross-fertilization, cross-pollination, and xenogamy.
Antonyms
The antonym of allogamy is autogamy, which is the fertilization of an ovum by sperm from the same organism.
The same root words
The root words of allogamy are “allos” and “gamia.” Some other words that use these roots include allopathy, which is a system of medicine that uses treatments that are different from those used in conventional medicine, and gamete, which is a reproductive cell.
Example Sentences
- Allogamy is an important mechanism for introducing genetic diversity into a population.
- The flowers of this plant are adapted for allogamy, with separate male and female structures.
- In some species, allogamy can lead to outbreeding depression, which can reduce the fitness of offspring.
- The opposite of allogamy is autogamy, which is the fertilization of an ovum by sperm from the same individual.
- Cross-pollination is another term for allogamy, which involves the transfer of pollen between different plants.