viljastama

Viljastama is an Estonian verb that translates to fertilize or impregnate in English. It describes the biological process by which a male gamete fuses with a female gamete to initiate the development of a new individual.

In the context of plant reproduction, viljastama refers to the fertilization of an ovule by pollen. This typically occurs after pollination, where pollen grains are transferred to the stigma of a flower. If compatible, the pollen grain germinates and grows a pollen tube down to the ovule, where the male gamete fuses with the female gamete within the ovule, leading to the formation of a zygote which develops into a seed.

In the context of animal reproduction, viljastama signifies the fertilization of an egg cell by a sperm cell. This can occur internally within the female reproductive tract, as in mammals, birds, and reptiles, or externally in the environment, as in many aquatic species. The fusion of sperm and egg creates a zygote, which then undergoes cell division and differentiation to develop into an embryo.

The term viljastama is crucial in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of sexual reproduction across various life forms, from plants to animals. It highlights the essential step of gamete fusion that initiates the continuity of species and the creation of new generations.