befrukta

Befrukta is a Swedish verb meaning to fertilize, specifically to bring about the fusion of male and female gametes so that a zygote can form. The term is used in both animal and plant reproduction and can describe natural fertilization as well as fertilization achieved through assisted methods.

In animals, befruktning occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg, initiating zygote formation and early embryonic development. The event typically takes place within the reproductive tract and marks the start of pregnancy in species with internal fertilization.

In plants, befruktning describes the fusion of a sperm cell from a pollen grain with the egg cell inside the ovule. In flowering plants there is often a second fertilization event that produces the endosperm, a tissue that nourishes the developing embryo. The combined processes lead to seed formation and the potential growth of a new plant.

Etymology and forms: the word derives from the prefix be- combined with frukt (fruit), reflecting the idea of producing offspring. Related forms include befruktning (fertilization) and befruktad (fertilized).

Usage and scope: the term is common in biology, botany, and medical contexts. In everyday language, people may refer to pregnancy without using befruktning. In human reproduction, assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) enable befruktning to occur outside the body.