gónos

Gónos is a term primarily used in biology and genetics. It refers to the reproductive cells of an organism, specifically the gametes. In sexual reproduction, these are the sperm and egg cells in animals, or pollen and ovules in plants. Each gónos contains half the number of chromosomes found in a somatic cell of the organism. This reduction in chromosome number is achieved through a process called meiosis.

When two gónos, one from each parent, fuse during fertilization, they form a zygote. This zygote contains a complete set of chromosomes, half from each parent, and develops into a new individual. The genetic material contained within the gónos is responsible for passing on hereditary traits from one generation to the next.

The term gónos can also be used more broadly to encompass reproductive organs or structures that produce gametes. Understanding gónos is fundamental to comprehending inheritance, reproduction, and the diversity of life. Variations in gónos, such as mutations, can lead to evolutionary changes over time.