🧬ap biology review

Zygote

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

A zygote is a fertilized egg formed when two gametes (sperm and egg) fuse together during fertilization. It contains the full set of chromosomes necessary for development into a new organism.