fertilizació

Fertilización refers to the process by which male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote. In sexual reproduction, this is a crucial step in the creation of a new organism. The male gamete, typically a sperm cell, travels to meet the female gamete, an ovum or egg cell. Fertilization can occur externally, as in many aquatic animals, where eggs and sperm are released into the environment, or internally, within the reproductive tract of one of the parents, as seen in mammals and birds.

The fusion of the sperm and egg involves the merging of their genetic material. Each gamete carries half the number of chromosomes found in a somatic cell. When they combine, the resulting zygote has the full complement of chromosomes, half from each parent. This genetic combination is fundamental to the genetic diversity observed in sexually reproducing species. Following fertilization, the zygote undergoes rapid cell division and differentiation, developing into an embryo and eventually a new individual.

In the context of agriculture and horticulture, "fertilization" also refers to the application of fertilizers to soil or plants. Fertilizers are substances that provide essential nutrients to plants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for healthy growth and development. This artificial fertilization aims to supplement or replace nutrients naturally present in the soil, thereby enhancing crop yields and plant vitality. While the term is the same, the biological and agricultural meanings are distinct, though both relate to providing the necessary components for growth and reproduction.